banana blssom recipes vegan Banana Blossom Recipes Vegan: Easy & Delicious Ideas

Banana blossoms, also known as banana flowers, are a unique and versatile ingredient popular in many Southeast Asian cuisines. These beautiful purple blooms are packed with nutrients and offer a delightful texture that works wonderfully in vegan dishes.

If you’re looking to explore something new and nutritious in your plant-based cooking, banana blossom recipes are a fantastic choice. Their mild, slightly nutty flavor absorbs spices and seasonings beautifully, making them ideal for curries, salads, fritters, and more.

In this blog post, we’ll dive into some delicious vegan banana blossom recipes that you can easily prepare at home. Whether you’re a seasoned vegan or just wanting to experiment with plant-based ingredients, these recipes will inspire you to add a fresh twist to your culinary repertoire.

Plus, we’ll share tips on selecting, cleaning, and cooking banana blossoms, ensuring your dishes turn out perfectly every time!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Banana blossom recipes are not only delicious but also incredibly nutritious and sustainable. They are rich in dietary fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins, making them a great addition to any vegan diet.

Their texture is often compared to artichokes or hearts of palm, which adds an exciting element to typical vegan meals.

These recipes are versatile, easy to prepare, and can be customized with your favorite spices and herbs. Plus, using banana blossoms helps reduce food waste by utilizing a part of the banana plant that is often discarded.

With their subtle flavor and meaty texture, banana blossoms are perfect for creating hearty vegan dishes that everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients

• 1 large banana blossom (about 300g), cleaned and chopped
• 1 cup chickpea flour (besan) for batter
• 1 cup coconut milk or any plant-based milk
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 green chili, finely chopped (optional)
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp garam masala
• Salt to taste
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Fresh cilantro for garnish
• 2 tbsp vegetable oil for frying
• Water as needed for batter consistency

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Sharp knife
• Cutting board
• Colander or sieve
• Frying pan or skillet
• Slotted spoon
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Grater (for ginger)

Instructions

1. Prepare the banana blossom: Remove the tough outer layers until you reach the softer, paler petals. Chop the petals finely and immediately soak them in a bowl of water mixed with lemon juice to prevent discoloration.
2. Drain and rinse: After about 10 minutes, drain the banana blossom pieces and rinse under running water to remove any bitterness.
3. Make the batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the chickpea flour, turmeric powder, cumin seeds, coriander powder, garam masala, salt, and coconut milk. Whisk together until you get a smooth, medium-thick batter. Add water if needed to adjust the consistency.
4. Sauté aromatics: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, minced garlic, grated ginger, and green chili. Sauté until fragrant and golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
5. Add banana blossoms: Add the drained banana blossom pieces to the pan and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
6. Combine banana blossom with batter: Remove the pan from heat and let the mixture cool slightly. Then, mix the banana blossom mixture into the chickpea batter evenly.
7. Cook the fritters: Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. Drop spoonfuls of the batter into the pan, flatten slightly, and fry until golden and crisp on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.
8. Drain and serve: Remove the fritters with a slotted spoon and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve warm.

Tips & Variations

Banana blossoms can sometimes be bitter. Soaking them in lemon water and rinsing thoroughly helps reduce this bitterness significantly.

• Try steaming or boiling banana blossoms before adding them to recipes for a softer texture.
• Add shredded coconut or chopped nuts to the batter for added texture and flavor.
• Use banana blossoms in curries by simmering them in coconut milk and spices for a rich, creamy dish.
• For a South Indian twist, make a banana blossom stir-fry with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and grated coconut.
• Experiment with dipping sauces such as tangy tamarind chutney or creamy vegan yogurt dips to accompany fritters.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Suggestions

These vegan banana blossom fritters are perfect as a snack or appetizer. Serve them with a side of tangy tamarind chutney or a cooling vegan yogurt dip.

They also pair wonderfully with a fresh salad or steamed rice for a light meal.

For more vegan inspiration, try pairing these fritters with dishes like our Half Runner Beans Recipe or enjoy alongside a warm loaf from our Hamburger Bun Sourdough Recipe. These combinations create a wholesome, satisfying vegan meal that’s sure to impress.

More Vegan Banana Blossom Recipes to Try

Vegan Banana Blossom Curry

This hearty curry combines banana blossoms with coconut milk, tomatoes, and aromatic spices for a comforting dish. Serve with steamed basmati rice or vegan flatbreads for a complete meal.

Banana Blossom Salad with Peanut Dressing

Shredded banana blossoms tossed with fresh herbs, crunchy vegetables, and a spicy peanut dressing make for a refreshing and nutritious salad perfect for warm days.

Vegan Banana Blossom Tacos

Use marinated and pan-fried banana blossoms as a meaty filling for tacos. Top with avocado, salsa, and fresh cilantro for a delicious plant-based twist on taco night.

Conclusion

Exploring banana blossom recipes is a wonderful way to introduce new flavors and textures into your vegan cooking. These blooms are not only nutritious but also incredibly versatile, lending themselves well to a variety of dishes from fritters to curries and salads.

With simple preparation and a few key spices, you can transform banana blossoms into delicious meals that satisfy both your palate and your health goals.

We hope this guide inspires you to try these unique vegan recipes and enjoy the wonderful benefits of banana blossoms. Don’t forget to check out other tasty vegan recipes on our site, including our Kodiak Banana Muffins Recipe for a sweet treat and the savory Kikkoman Stir Fry Sauce Recipe to elevate your stir-fries.

Happy cooking!

{“@context”: “https://schema.org/”, “@type”: “Recipe”, “name”: “Vegan Banana Blossom Curry”, “image”: [], “author”: {“@type”: “Organization”, “name”: “GluttonLv”}, “description”: “A flavorful vegan curry featuring tender banana blossoms simmered in a rich coconut sauce. Perfect as a hearty main dish or served with rice.”, “prepTime”: “PT15M”, “cookTime”: “PT30M”, “totalTime”: “PT45M”, “recipeYield”: “4 servings”, “recipeIngredient”: [“2 cups banana blossoms, cleaned and chopped”, “1 tablespoon coconut oil”, “1 medium onion, finely chopped”, “2 cloves garlic, minced”, “1 tablespoon grated ginger”, “1 green chili, chopped”, “1 teaspoon mustard seeds”, “1 teaspoon turmeric powder”, “1 teaspoon cumin powder”, “1 teaspoon coriander powder”, “1 cup coconut milk”, “Salt to taste”, “Fresh cilantro for garnish”], “recipeInstructions”: [{“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Heat coconut oil in a pan and add mustard seeds until they pop.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add chopped onions, garlic, ginger, and green chili; saut\u00e9 until onions are translucent.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Stir in turmeric, cumin, and coriander powders; cook for 1 minute.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Add banana blossoms and mix well with the spices.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Pour in coconut milk, add salt, and simmer for 20 minutes until blossoms are tender.”}, {“@type”: “HowToStep”, “text”: “Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot.”}], “nutrition”: {“calories”: “210 kcal”, “proteinContent”: “4 g”, “fatContent”: “15 g”, “carbohydrateContent”: “18 g”}}