How to clean and cut banana stem?

Learn to clean and cut banana stem or plantain stem. Step by step instructions is given with a quick video guidance as well.

This crunchy healthy plantain stem / banana stem has many culinary uses. So read the post till the end to know how to use these super ingredient.

Banana is a wonder plant to mankind. If you have known that only banana fruit is edible part, then you need to know more. Most parts of banana except the roots, are healthy and used by mankind in one form or the other. Most of South Indian meals during festival and ceremonies are served on banana leaf. Recently read a recipe which uses tender banana leaf in making curry.

Stem, flowers are also used in cooking. They have medicinal value so has many culinary uses. Most of Indians cook and cherish this healthy ingredient in traditional home cooking.  

Banana flower is used in making chutney, palya in South Indian houses.

They are commonly sold in vegetable markets at low price. Most Indian supermarkets keep a stock of these superfood.

Check a quick video of how to clean and cut banana stem and try this in your kitchen. If you have enjoyed the video do subscribe to Dice n Cook Youtube channel for more food videos. 

What is banana stem?

Banana is an herbaceous plant with no proper hard stem and has a pseudo stem. Pseudo means it is not a true or actual stem. This pseudo stem is non-woody fibrous stalk of banana flower.

Banana stem is known by different names in various regions of India. In Karnataka, we call it as baledindu, in Orissa it is called as kadali manza, in tamil its called as vazha thandu.

Heath benefits of banana stem

It is a great cleansing agent. Scientifically, it is shown that they help in controlling diabetes, control blood sugar and aids in weight loss. It is fibre rich vegetable used in most of South Indian kitchen. Since these are fibrous, they help in reducing kidney stones or other urinary infections. Regular use in everyday kitchen helps in overcoming gut issues like constipation.

They have a detoxifying quality due to high potassium and vitamin content. The cooling property of banana stem makes it a most opted ingredient during summers.

Banana stem uses

Banana stem is very commonly used in Indian cooking, and it is one of my favourite ingredients. They are consumed both as raw and cooked.

These do not have much strong flavour so can inherit flavours from other spices used in the dish. It has a crisp texture when consumed raw, however softens on cooking but remains firm.

There are many recipes out there where in finely chopped banana stem is used.

They are used in soups, curry, dosa, poriyal, kootu, stews, beverages like using it in buttermilk, or coastal Karnataka special tambuli. We also make chutney, seasoned with coconut oil.

Kebabs and tikkis are also made using banana stem.

Banana stem is used in buttermilk and makes a great beverage.

The outer layer of banana stem is inedible and always make sure to remove these additional fibrous pieces. 

Equipment

Wooden chopping board – Good sturdy chopping board helps in cutting banana stem efficiently.

Sharp knife for chopping – This helps in easily removing the fibers and chopping banana stem into fine peices.

Bowl – Used for soaking banana stem in water

Ingredient notes

Banana stem – Medium sized banana stem is used. Here I have purchased from local markets. Its easily available online or vegetable shops. For step by step instructions on cleaning, check the recipe card.

Water – It is used to soak the chopped banana stem.

Tamarind paste or water – We can use tamarind paste or diluted tamarind water to soak banana stem and prevent discoloration.

How to clean and cut banana stem

If you are new to using banana stem and here in this post I will give you few tips to choose proper banana stem and step by step method to cut them.

Selection of banana stem

When you are buying banana stem from nearby market or store, try to select the ones which are fresh, white or cream with no discolouration at the centre. If the stem is tender, small, less fibre content.

Another point to keep in mind is the inner stem should not be too big or too small. If it’s too big, they will be more mature and highly fibrous. It becomes difficult to cut such banana stem.

The green sheath or layer outside is inedible and cannot be removed easily.  This outer layer can be two or three layers depending on those available in the market.

The outer layer is green when the plant is young and has few layers surrounding the inner pith. However, as the plant matures, this outer layer thickens and more in number.

Below this layer is the edible white, yellowish green pith. They are somewhat sweet and tart if you taste them.

If the inner pith is too small, you will have many outer layers to remove. So, select ones that are medium sized.

How to prevent discoloration of banana stem?

The first step is to prevent the discolouration of chopped stem before cooking. This can be done in many ways.

The first method is to add some turmeric powder to water and then add chopped banana stem. This avoids the discolouration.

The second method is to add chopped pieces into tamarind water, this prevents discolouration.

Another method is adding this chopped banana stem to buttermilk. When you plan to cook, simply squeeze out the buttermilk and use the pieces.

If you don’t find buttermilk, add 2 to 3 tablespoon of curd to water and then soak the chopped banana stem until use.

Chopping method

• Make slits on all sides of the outer layer of stem. Simply remove this layer.
• Again, make a slit on next layer, remove this layer as well.
• Continue this step of removing the outer layer until you reach the inner pith.
• You will find a thin layer of outer skin attaching to inner pith, which can be simply peeled off as shown in the video.
• If you still feel there is fibre covering and finding it hard to make slices, we can remove this by following simple method. Cut into slices, simply pull out the fibres by rubbing the slices in circular motion.
• Make thin slices of banana stem. At this point you can chop them directly or dunk them in tamarind water until you use (may be for 1 hour).
• While chopping them, keep the slices one above the other and chop them fine as per your requirement.
• Put these chopped banana stem into tamarind water until you cook them.

This is so easy to clean and cut the banana stem, so next time you find banana stem in the market, don’t stop yourself from buying this super healthy ingredient.

Cooking with banana stem

Chopped banana stem can be used to make curries, stir fry and drink. I am giving a brief recipe

Banana stems stir fry or palya:

This is a south Indian Mangalore style palya prepared using coconut and coconut oil. This gives an amazing flavour to the crunchy banana stem.

Pressure cook chopped banana stem with little salt, jaggery and tamarind paste. Cook until it becomes soft. Release the pressure and keep aside until we prepare the masala.

Take grated coconut, a spoon of mustard seeds, dry red chilies. Make fine paste of this coconut masala.

Take a thick bottom kadai, add coconut oil, mustard seeds. Allow it to splutter, add urad dal, fry until becomes golden. Next add curry leaves, fry until it becomes crisp.

Add the coconut masala, fry for 2 to 3 minutes, add the cooked banana stem pieces. Salt, tamarind paste as per requirement. Sprinkle little water, close and cook on low heat for 5 minutes. Mix well and your healthy banana stem coconut stir fry is ready.

Banana stem buttermilk:

This is a simple refreshing summer drink which is healthy and tasty. Try this recipe in your kitchen as a cleansing drink. A detailed recipe is given in the blog, for further read you can click this link.

Banana stem pachadi or baledhindina sasive:

This is one more easy recipe using banana stem. Coconut and mustard seeds with green chilies are ground into fine paste. This is mixed with curd and cooked banana with salt is added. We can do seasoning of coconut oil.

Banana stem salad:

We can prepare this salad using raw banana or cooked banana stem. Make lemon honey dressing, mix it with cooked banana stem. You can also top it with some fresh coconut for pure south Indian touch.

Banana stem curries, stews or sambar:

Typically, any vegetable curry recipe can used here. Simply replace vegetable with cooked banana stem. Serve this with rice or any Indian flatbread. This is so easy to make, sure you will love it. 

Don’t miss a recipe, subscribe

Pin it for later

Frequently asked questions

Can we eat the outer skin?

No outer skin cannot be used for cooking, it is the inedible part.

Can we store chopped banana stem?

We can store chopped banana stem for maximum 5 to 6 hours. After this it changes colour. So use it when its fresh.

Can we freeze banana stem?

I have never frozen banana stem, always used it fresh. However, if you still want to then freeze in ziplock covers or airtight container.

Can we chop them in advance?

Yes remove the outer skin and chop them into medium sized logs and store them in tamarind or buttermilk under refrigeration. This can be used after 5 to 6 hours.

Dear readers, I am grateful for the time you have taken to read my posts which means a lot to me. Thank you.

If you like my recipes and food photography do follow me

instagram, facebook, 

twitter, pinterest,

youtube channel.

If you happen to try any of my recipes do tag me with your photos and feedback. I would love to hear your review and suggestion.  So do comment below