Potatoes, please step aside – Now, the stage is taken by something that’s more delicious and a healthier option. The contender in question is very low in Saturated Fat, Cholesterol and Sodium. It is also a good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Potassium, Manganese, and a very good source of Vitamin B6.
What am I talking about? Raw Bananas… I love them. I always steam them and use the inner pulp to make a stir fry. This time around I tried something different. I cooked the raw bananas on a gas flame and roasted the inner pulp with a touch of coriander seeds and notched the heat with red chillies. Makes a wonderful starter with hot chilli sauce. 
Roasted Raw Bananas
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Roasted raw bananas are a delicious and healthy alternative to potatoes, featuring charred skins and a spicy, aromatic filling.
Ingredients
- 2 raw bananas
- A few curry leaves
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- Oil for frying
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) coriander seeds
- Salt to taste
- A dash of asafoetida powder
- 3-4 dry red chillies (use more for extra spice)
Instructions
- Place the raw bananas directly on a medium flame. Cook until the outer skin is completely charred and the inner portion is soft, about 10-15 minutes.
- Remove the bananas from the flame and allow them to cool. Once cooled, peel off the charred skin and mash the inner pulp.
- In a pan, heat some oil over medium heat. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter.
- Add sliced onions and curry leaves to the pan. Sauté until the onions are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add coriander seeds, dry red chillies, and a dash of asafoetida powder. Stir well and roast for another 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the mashed banana pulp to the pan. Mix well and cook for another 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Season with salt to taste.
- Serve hot as a starter, optionally with hot chilli sauce.
Notes
- Roasted raw bananas make a wonderful starter when served with hot chilli sauce.
- For extra spice, increase the number of dry red chillies.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 14
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 28
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 0
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are raw (green) bananas and how do they differ from ripe bananas in cooking?
The article positions raw bananas as a starchy, savory alternative to potatoes — high in dietary fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and vitamin B6. Unlike sweet ripe bananas, raw bananas are firm and starchy; this recipe chars the whole unpeeled banana on a gas flame until the outer skin is completely blackened and the inner pulp is soft, then mashes the pulp into a spiced stir-fry.
Can I cook the bananas in the oven instead of directly over a gas flame?
The recipe specifically uses a direct medium gas flame, charring the outer skin for about 10–15 minutes until the inside is soft. While an oven or broiler can soften raw bananas, they won’t develop the same charred-skin flavor that infuses the pulp in this method.
What is asafoetida powder and why does the recipe use it?
Asafoetida (also called hing) is a strongly flavored Indian spice used in a small “dash” that adds a savory, onion-garlic-like depth. In this recipe it works alongside mustard seeds, curry leaves, and dry red chillies to build the spiced oil base before the mashed banana pulp is added.
Are these unripe bananas, or plantains?
This is so simple and yet looks so delicious. I will try making this as soon as I can lay my hands on raw bananas
Looks fantastic!
If you don’t have a gas stove, you could use an outdoor grill or a cast iron grill pan pre-heated over medium (electric) heat.
Alternative will be to cook it in a normal oven till the inner pulp/portion is soft to touch. You can also steam the bananas and peel off the skin. The problem with steaming is- if you overdo it, the inner portion will become too mushy for a stir fry.
Thank you for sharing this recipe, it sounds delicious! Do you have any suggestion how to prepare this dish if you don’t have a gas oven?