Vazhaipoo Pulli Kootu | Traditional South Indian Banana Flower Curry

✨ A comforting, tangy, and wholesome South Indian kootu made with vazhaipoo, lentils, tamarind, and freshly ground spices.

Vazhaipoo Pulli Kootu is a classic South Indian recipe where banana flower is cooked with a mix of dals, tamarind, coconut, and aromatic spices.
This dish balances earthy, mildly spicy, and tangy flavors, making it a perfect accompaniment for hot steamed rice.

Though cleaning vazhaipoo takes a little time, this nutritious curry is absolutely worth the effort.

 ❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Traditional and nutrient-rich South Indian curry
• Made with banana flower, dals, and coconut
• Naturally high in fiber and iron
• Gentle tang from tamarind enhances flavor
• Perfect comfort food with rice

 🛒 Ingredients

 For Cleaning & Cooking Vazhaipoo

• Vazhaipoo (banana flower) – 1, cleaned & finely chopped
• Buttermilk – enough to soak
• Turmeric powder – ½ tsp
• Tamarind – small lemon-sized (soaked & extracted)

 For Cooking the Dal

• Chana dal – ½ cup
• Toor dal – ½ cup
• Moong dal – 1 tbsp
• Turmeric powder – ½ tsp
• Ghee – few drops
• Water – as needed

 To Roast & Grind

• Chana dal – 2 tbsp
• Coriander seeds – 2 tbsp
• Urad dal – 2 tbsp
• Dry red chillies – 7–8
• Black pepper – 1 tbsp
• Fenugreek seeds – 1 tbsp
• Grated coconut – ¼ cup

 For Tempering

• Oil – 2 tbsp
• Mustard seeds – 1 tsp
• Urad dal – 1 tsp
• Hing (asafoetida) – a pinch
• Curry leaves – few

 👩‍🍳 How to Make Vazhaipoo Pulli Kootu (Step-by-Step)

 1. Clean & Prepare Vazhaipoo

Clean and finely chop vazhaipoo.
Immediately soak in buttermilk to prevent discoloration.
Before cooking, wash well under running water and squeeze out excess liquid.

 2. Cook the Dal

Add chana dal, toor dal, and moong dal to a pressure cooker.
Wash thoroughly, add water, turmeric powder, and a few drops of ghee.
Pressure cook for 3 whistles. Keep aside.

 3. Roast & Grind the Masala

Heat a kadai on medium flame.
Add chana dal, coriander seeds, urad dal, red chillies, and black pepper.
Roast until dals turn light golden brown.
Add fenugreek seeds last, roast for a few seconds, and switch off the flame.
Once cooled, grind with grated coconut and little water to a slightly coarse paste.

 4. Cook Vazhaipoo

Add cleaned vazhaipoo to a pressure cooker.
Add water just up to the level of vazhaipoo and turmeric powder.
Pressure cook for 2–3 whistles.
Allow pressure to release naturally.

 5. Prepare Pulli Kootu

Add tamarind extract to the cooked vazhaipoo and boil on medium flame.
Once it starts rolling boil, add cooked dal and ground paste.
Mix well and add water if the curry is too thick.
Let it boil once, then simmer on low flame for 5–10 minutes. Switch off.

 6. Tempering (Thalippu)

Heat oil in a thalippu karandi.
Add mustard seeds; once they splutter, add urad dal and hing.
When dal turns golden brown, add curry leaves.
Pour the tempering over the kootu, mix gently, and cover to retain aroma.

 🌟 Tips for Perfect Vazhaipoo Pulli Kootu

• Always soak chopped vazhaipoo in buttermilk to avoid bitterness
• Do not overcook fenugreek seeds — it may turn bitter
• Keep the ground paste slightly coarse for authentic texture
• Simmer on low flame for better flavor absorption

 🍽️ Serving Suggestions

• Serve hot with steamed rice and ghee
• Pairs well with millet rice for a healthier meal

 ❄️ Storage Tips

• Best consumed fresh
• Can be refrigerated for up to 2 days
• Reheat gently with little water on low flame

 💪 Health & Nutritional Benefits

• Vazhaipoo (Banana Flower): Rich in fiber and iron, aids digestion
• Dals: Good source of plant-based protein
• Tamarind: Supports digestion and adds natural tang
• Spices & Coconut: Improve gut health and enhance flavor

 ❓ Frequently Asked Questions

 Can I skip tamarind in this recipe?

Tamarind gives the signature “pulli” taste. Skipping it will change the flavor profile.

 Is vazhaipoo good for health?

Yes. Vazhaipoo is rich in fiber, iron, and antioxidants.

 Can I make this kootu without coconut?

Coconut makes the curry thicker, creamier, and well-coated, not watery or thin. It gives the kootu a nice texture and richness. Without it, the taste will be less authentic.

 How long does vazhaipoo pulli kootu stay fresh?

It stays good for up to 2 days when refrigerated.

✨ Earthy, tangy, and nourishing — Vazhaipoo Pulli Kootu is comfort food rooted in South Indian tradition. ✨

 🎥 Video