A
Bullock cart ride is not only different from any other travel experience, but
so different in every way. The jolting ride, the open view, nature’s bounty,
skies above and fields on either side, brings a certain amount of peace and
joy, which cannot be explained . In
those days, our village had no other connectivity except a rough mud road,
which was accessible only by carts and cycles. . The best holidays that I can think of were
the ones spent in our native village, the Cauvery River flowing, the haystacks
for sliding, the banana tree and coconut orchards, all added to its charm. Owning
a cycle was considered a sign of wealth and riding all around the village and
the banana trees orchard was an unforgettable experience for us. Licking ice
sticks brought from Ranga the local ice cream man who went around in a tricycle
selling ice sticks, added to the blissful experience.
Amidst
all this fun was a banana flower,cooking competition amongst the local village
ladies. This was an annual event started by my grandfather who was a collector
of Tanjore those days. His idea was to boost the women’s pride in cooking and
make others appreciate her efforts. Our job was to pluck the whole banana shell
with its flowers and stems. . Banana flowers ( banana blossoms) are, as the
name suggests, the blossoms from a banana tree. Left on the tree, they would
blossom into bananas. Like bananas, they are wonderfully edible. They
don't so much taste like a banana as like something that will grow into a
banana.
The competition was any dish cooked with
tender stem or the flowers. We each had our favorite. Mine was Gowri mammi who
was not only an expert but truly generous and giving. My grandmother was
supported by my other siblings and thus it was our duty to see that the raw
material was delivered on time and everything needed for cooking. When done, we
would all accompany my grandfather and the local panchayat heads from house to
house tasting the dishes. My grandmother would win many times, but so did gowri
mammi. Her vayapoo poriyal was outstanding and even today when I recollect the taste,
my mouth salivates.
.According to folklore of
Gadaba, a tribe in Andhra Pradesh, banana was one of five sisters; mango,
tamarind, fig and jamun being the others. When they were growing up, their
father asked them what they wanted in terms of marriage and children. The
banana said she wanted children, but not a husband. So she did not marry, but
produced many children. That’s probably why the plant produces flowers
parthenocarpically—production of fruit without fertilization of ovules. Banana tree is considered auspicious—it is an integral part of wedding rituals and its leaves are used to decorate the mandap (wedding platform). Its fruit is presented as an offering to deities.
In many cultures across India, the banana flower is considered to have the power to ward off bad omens. This may or may not be true, but the flower has been scientifically proven to treat a host of diseases such as dysentery, ulcers and bronchitis. The flowers are rich in antioxidants, fiber, proteins and unsaturated fatty acids and are a good source of vitamin E and flavonoids. But what could interest everyone, is the flower’s ability to reduce body weight and improve longevity. Banana flowers have also been found to improve the health of the uterus. .
Banana flower is called mocha in Bengali, vazhaipoo in Tamil and kelful in Hindi. In Tamil Nadu, banana flowers are prepared in a number of ways including Vazhaipoo Vadai (a tea snack), Vazhaipoo Kootu (a vegetable dish) and Vazhaipoo Poriyal (a stir fry vegetable dish). In Bengal, mocha stir fry is a popular dish. In north India and in Maharashtra kelful bhaji is a vegan delight. So today I share Gowri mammi’s vayapoo Poriyal.
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