Kerala Banana Blossom with Coconut

Kerala ‘kodappan thoran or vazhapoo thoran’ is an easy and healthy way to prepare banana flowers ( banana blossoms). Great side dish.

Kerala Banana Blossom with Coconut

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Cleaning and preparing banana blossoms can be a bit time-consuming, as you need to remove the tough outer layers and the small stamen from each floret. However, the effort is well worth it for the delicious and healthy dish you get in the end.

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Kerala Banana Blossom with Coconut

Author: Shana Shameer

Difficulty: Beginner Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 10 mins Total Time 20 mins

Servings: 4

Description

Vazhapoo Thoran, Kerala Banana Blossom with Coconut or 'Vazhapoo Thoran', is a traditional Kerala dish from South India. It's a dry stir-fry made with the delicate blossoms of the banana plant. While the idea of eating a flower might sound unusual, Vazhapoo Thoran is a delicious and healthy dish packed with nutrients and flavor.

Ingredients:

Servings

• 1 Banana Flower/ Banana Blossom

• ¹⁄₄ cup Grated coconut

• 2 Green chilies, slit

• 4 Shallots chopped

• ¹⁄₄ tsp Turmeric powder

• ¹⁄₂ tsp Mustard seeds

• 2-4 Tbsp Coconut oil

• 1-2 Sprigs Curry leaves

• Green gram dal or Tuvar dal (As needed you can use any dal of your choice, precooked to al-dente and this is - optional)

Instructions

1. Cook and set aside the dal if using.
2. Peel off the outer petals of the banana flower to reveal a white inner flower.
3. Apply Coconut oil on hands before you begin to prevent banana glue stains.
4. Chop finely as shown and toss into a bowl of water till the whole flower is chopped. (All parts of the flower can be chopped up together).
5. Strain out of the water using your oiled hands and squeeze out the water.
6. Pour 1 Tbsp more oil and mix well with hands rubbing the chopped flower between your palms. Also, mix in turmeric powder.
7. As you rub you will see the ‘webby’ fibers. Allow the cleaned portions to fall into a bowl as you continue rubbing.
8. You will be left with a small portion that is sticky with a web-like fiber. Discard this portion.→Set aside.
9. Add 2 shallots to the grated coconut and Pound together.→Set aside.
10. Heat 1-2 Tbsp Coconut oil in a wok and splutter the mustard seeds.
11. Add curry leaves,2 sliced shallots and green chilly till aromatic.
12. Add the Prepared banana flower and stir fry for a couple of minutes.
13. Move to the sides of your wok, creating a well in the center.
14. Add a tiny amount of oil to which you add the coconut-shallot mix.
15. Cover up with the banana flower from the sides and cover the wok to steam for a minute.
16. Open and stir-fry all together, adding salt. the cooked dal if using.
17. Cover and cook on low for 5-10 minutes.

Note

• If you like the flavor of cumin, you can pound it with the coconut and shallots.
• Key Ingredients: Banana Blossom, Coconut, Oil, Onion/Shallots

Keywords: vazhapoo thoran, kodappan thoran, banana blossom thoran, banana blossom recipe