I have been to my native place since couple of days. A Cyclonic Thunderstorm has started since yesterday and this morning, it got more intense, and apparently, we felt, its going to damage some of our trees. Banana trees are most vulnerable to these thunderstorms as they start dancing in the wind, before falling to the ground. Though, there is little we can do, we still tried to repair as much as we can. This is a raw banana and it was almost ready. We usually cut in bunches and consume them, because they remain fresh in the tree. But this time, we decided to cut the tree itself and bring it and keep in our garden, so that, it still remains fresh for few days.
If you do not know, then each part of the banana tree is used as food. The bananas, the red flowery last part (first image), the stems - each of them are used in preparing different food items, and each of them have different taste. It's told, if you consume the banana stem curry, it will cure all stomach related issues, as it deep cleanses all the bad stuff from your stomach. A special skill is needed to cut them, but its a common practice in every household. These were considered poor man's food earlier, but now they are also sold in the market in high price. The only problem is that, recent generation do not know how to prepare them. I am a big fan of these local old dishes - so my wife knows how to prepare them 😀
I also took few leaves and then left the big leaves at a dump place where street cows come and eat. Banana leaves are considered sacred at our place and is used in all worship to keep everything. They are also used to eat - It works like a big tray where one can be served all the items. Especially, when we get food from the temple, its a pleasure to eat using the banana leaves. Now a days, its difficult to get them in cities - so people go for other plates. What used to be a tradition few decades back, is getting lost.
Down below, is a freshly coming ripen banana coming up. Since this is not at all usable, I prepared a support and gave it against the lean. Considering the weight is on the leaning side, it may help the tree from wind, but who knows. We can only prepare for the best but at the end, its the Nature which decides what to keep and what to wash away....
