Banana flower possess anti oxidant properties, it helps in treating cancer, infections and premature aging. It manages diabetes and anemia, reduces menstural problems and improves lactation. It contains lot of vitamins like A, E and C.
Banana flower is edible, when I saw this beautiful flower hanging from the banana tree at my parents house, asked my dad to cut it for me. My dad showed me how to peel the flower and how to clean the banana flower. It’s not easy to chop and clean a banana flower. I chopped the flower and made two dishes vazhaipoo thoran and vazhaipoo vada.
In this recipe, blended coarsely channa dal with chilies and saunf, then added onions, curry leaves, asafoetida, salt, made patties and deep fried. I made slightly thin patties so that it cooks well.
INGREDIENTS
- Vazhaipoo finely chopped 1 cup
- Channa dal/kadla paruppu 1 cup
- Saunf 2 tsp
- Curry leaves 1 sprig
- Asafoetida. 1 tsp
- Onion finely chopped 1
- Dry red chillies 2-4
- Salt to taste
- Oil for deep fry
METHOD
Chop finely the vazhaipoo and dip in butter milk or it will change colour. Take it out and boil in water with turmeric and salt in medium heat for five minutes.
Soak channa dal for 3-4 hours.
Drain completely all the water from the channa dal and coarsely blend it with saunf/fennel seeds and red dry chillies in a blender.
Take it out in a bowl . Add finely chopped onions, finely chopped curry leaves and the vazhaipoo ( squeeze and drain all the water from the vazhaipoo). Add salt and asafoetida. Mix well all the ingredients.
Heat oil in a deep frying pan, divide the mixture in equal size balls, flatten it and make patties , drop in oil, fry in batches both sides on medium heat till golden brown or completely cooked from inside. drain kitchen towel excess oil.
Serve hot with chutney as evening snack.
