Kellya Koddel - Raw Banana & Drumstick Curry

I recently had a mock-argument with a friend of mine regarding Konkani cuisine.Incidentally,the friend happens to be a non-konkani so you can only imagine the my-cuisine-is-better-than-yours debate!She felt that we only cook ghaas-poos and most of our dishes are 'inspired' from other cuisines and we cook only with coconut.I disagreed with her outright,except for the last charge.We can't live with our daily dose of coconut:).


There are so many dishes which i myself am yet to try because Konkani cuisine is so vast and diverse.


More than the recipes itself,I think what makes a difference to the final dish is the way you try it.Many a times I find my m-i-l adding extra ingredients to a particular dish which actually do not feature in the original.This Koddel* is such a dish.The first time I had it,it was with Raw bananas only.Next time with Jackfruit seeds and another time with drumsticks.

*Koddel is a coconut based curry seasoned with whole garlic cloves.


Kellya Koddel


Ingredients


Raw Banana - 1 medium,sliced into half vertically and then chopped into semi circle pieces
Drumstick - 2-3,cut into 2' pieces
Jackfruit seeds - 4-5,crushed[I did not have it,hence skipped adding it]
Salt to taste


For the Masala
Grated coconut - 1/2 cup
Roasted red chillies - 4-5[I used the long variety called Byadge]
Tamarind - a small pea size


For seasoning
Oil - 2 tsp
Garlic - 4-5 cloves crushed[with skin]


Method


Cook the banana,drumstick and jackfruit seeds[if using] in just enough water till cooked and soft.
Grind the ingredients given for the masala into a smooth paste.
Add the ground masala and salt to taste and let the curry come to a boil.
Simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes.Add water if the curry is too thick,it should be of pourable consistency.
In a kadai add oil and crushed garlic cloves.Keep the flame on simmer and let the garlic brown.Add to the curry and cover with a lid.
Stir before serving.


Also check out Kulitha Koddel[Horsegram curry] and Maggya Koddel[Colored Cucumber curry].