Hulilu | Plantain Stem Salad | ಹುಳಿಲು । ಬಾಳೆ ದಿಂಡಿನ ಸಲಾಡ್

ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ ಓದಲು ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಕ್ಲಿಕ್ ಮಾಡಿ. 

Villages like my native are the places where people can stay happily by spending very less on the daily needs like fruits and veggies. What I mean to say is, villages are such heavens where almost every plant, bush or creeper is useful either as food, medicine or in some other way! People will prepare delicious and healthy food even when there is no vegetable at home, using these naturally available ingredients.
For instance, we use raw banana for cooking and ripened ones for eating directly. Many of us don't know that even the plantain / banana stem can be used for cooking! It has got lot of medicinal values and some healthy and tasty dishes can be prepared using plantain stem. As I heard, regular usage of plantain stem is very good for kidney stone problem. Also, its a good remedy for stomach pain and dry cough. These days, its not that difficult to get plantain stem in cities. Coz plantain stem is easily available in vegetable markets in cities like Bangalore.
Well, today's recipe is Plantain Stem Salad - a yummy and healthy starter for your lunch. Credit goes to my Mom who helped me in preparing and presenting this recipe. Traditional name for this salad is 'Hulilu' even though I called it as Salad! Below is the recipe of Plantain Stem Salad..

Preparation Time: 15 - 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Difficulty level: Easy

Ingredients:

• Plantain stem - 1 small
• Ginger - 1 inch
• Green chilli - 1
• Lime - half piece
• Thick curd - 1/2 cup
• Salt - 1/2 tsp or to taste  

Method:

• Cut the plantain stem into thin slices. Remove the fiber and chop the slices finely. About one cup of chopped plantain stem is enough for this salad.
• Chop the ginger and green chilli finely. Either you can chop them or crush them, its fine anyways.
• Combine chopped plantain stem, chopped ginger and chilli, curd in a mixing bowl. Add salt and lime juice for taste. 
• Enjoy this healthy and delicious salad with your lunch!

Tips:

• Don't be scared if chopped plantain stem looks like oxidized. It will be back to its original color when you add lime juice to it.