Healthy eating - Banana flower preparation

In plantain tree,  Each part of the tree is so much useful for something or the other and medicinal properties.  Its trunk, flowers, fruits and roots are used in making delicious food items.  Its leaves are used to serve food, a kind of olden days discardable paper plates. And for we Indians, relishing food served on these leaves is out of the world experience.  At least for me!!.  Any time of the year, even if a simple rice and sambar is served on this, will taste like feast to tongue.Banana flower is called Banana blossom has various medicinal properties and diuretic.

When we were in Bangalore and I happen to visit vegetable mandi i get to see this beautiful vibrant coloured unusual vegetable. But never had a clue that it is of Banana and can be cooked, eaten and so delicious.  Bahrain, where we lived for quite a few years and mostly keralites around, we used to get lot of Indian vegetables especially from Kerala.  I tried, failed and now seem to be good with this recipe.

 I am not sure if this vegetable is available around the western world, still if you can find couple of them; look for the one with fresh tender flowers when you slip away those leaves that cover the outer part. The vegetable has to be bright magenta in colour.

 

What you need:

• One whole Banana blossom
• Red chilli Powder            1/2 tsp
• Turmeric                        Little less than ½ tsp
• Coconut                        2 tbsp
• Mustard seeds               ½ tsp
• Curry leaves                   one strand
• Onion                            half of medium size(chopped)
• Salt to taste

How to make:

 Prepare:  Just remove the first two leaves that covers the vegetable, and to find a bunch of fresh flowers.  Chop those flowers and keep aside.  Cut ½ inch form tip of the narrow end.  Here most of the people shred the vegetable and chop into thin strands.  It goes messy all over.  Instead, Hold the mid part of the vegetable in the hand, just cut the edge into cross sections and then chop it along the length into thin shreds. (Hope I am clear). 

When the chopping is done, mix it with turmeric, chilli powder, Onions, curry leaves and little bit of salt.

Cook:

Heat a spoon of oil and splutter mustard seeds in a round bottom vessel.  Slowly add the mixed ingredients to it and start frying.  Do not add water as the vegetable has enough water content if it is fresh.  If it is not, sprinkle handful of water just to avoid sticking to the bottom.  Loosely cover the lid, reduce the heat.  Cook over low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The quantity of the ingredient reduces once it gets cooked.  See to that it is cooked before removing it from heat. A Magnificent Magenta is turned to a healthy nutritious simple dish.

    

Notes:When it is chopped and exposed to the air the colour changes to dark brown.

Coconut  can be added after the vegetables are cooked.  

Instead of Red chilli powder 2 medium green chillies can be used.