Vazhakoombu(Banana flower)Cutlet Recipe

Hello Viewers,

Here I'm with a variety dish of Cutlet with banana flower in malayalam its called Vazhakoombu.Cutlets are used as starters for a main course of meal and we all like it especially kids.This is a special type of cutlet(my mothers secret recipe)which can be prepared for both vegetarians and non vegies..Banana flowers are not used by all people..some people don't like it or not even tried it.But i'm telling try this veg cutlet with banana flower,definitely you all love it..
Only problem is some banana flowers are bitter in taste after cooking.It depends on the plantain breed..but from market we can't determine the breed of banana flower.so buy what ever is available..But this bitterness won't have a much role when it becomes a cute cutlet after frying.So it doesn't matter.
Banana flowers are high in vitamins A and C and have modest amounts of calcium and iron. And ladies, listen up, they have even been known to alleviate the pain from menstrual cramps, according to common natural remedy practice.

                                              Banana flower Cutlet 

By  seeing this picture you may be wonder whether it is banana flower or beef cutlet...no need of wondering.its pure vegetarian.Let's see the preparation method for this tasty cutlet.

Ingredients needed
For thoran
1.Banana flower - 1 big or medium
2.Onion - 1/2 of a big one
4.Green chilli - 2 
5.Curry leaves - a few
6.Turmeric powder - 1/2 Tsp
7.Pepper powder - 1 Tsp
8.Coriander powder - 1 Tsp
9.Salt - to taste
10.Water - 1/4 cup

For cutlet mix
11.Potato - 1 big or 2 medium
12.Green Chilli - 2
13.Pepper powder - 1/2 Tsp
14.Garam Masala - 1/2 Tsp

For frying
9.Egg - 1
10.Bread crumbs - 2 cups
11.Oil - 2 cups


Method
1.For making this cutlet,first we need to make a thoran of banana flower without adding coconut.For that,clean the flower in water and cut the edge(dark coloured or blackish coloured portion seen at the edge).Remove 1 - 4 petals and inner black substance from the bunch,which forms the outermost cover.

                                                       Banana flower
Note : Here i added a pic of banana flower for those who don't know how it looks like.
2.Cut the remaining petals into small portions same as (don't remove the entire leaves,we need it as a bunch for easy cutting)  we cut cabbage(kothi ariyuka).Make small small slits in one egde and cut into pieces.While cutting no need to remove the black and white coloured nectarine portion of the flower.Cut it along with Petals.While cutting itself the cut portion becomes black in colour.Its a  natural process.so don't think about to throw it away or discard into waste.
3.Take a pan,switch on the flame to medium level and add little oil when the pan gets warm.After that,add the cut flower into the pan with all ingredients from 2-10.Cover with a lid and cook it for 10-15 minutes in a medium flame.

                                  Pics showing the preparation method 1-4
4.After 15 minutes,stir well the cut flower and allow to cook for 5 minutes if its not done.
5.After cooking allow the contents to cool.
6.In the mean time,we can prepare potato .Pressure cook the potato.After cooling, peel the skin of potato and mash it using a  big thick spoon or masher.
7.Add 1/2 Tsp pepper powder and garam masala.Also some cut green chillies.
8.Mix the cooked banana flower(vazhakoombu)and mashed potato  and make it as a good dough like substance.Try to reduce the water content and make it dry.Check the salt content and add more if needed.(See tips)
9.Make round balls and form your desired shapes as round or oval.
10.Dip the pieces in  beated egg and dusted it with bread crumbs.(See tips).
11.Deep fry the cutlet or even you can shallow fry it.
12.Serve with tomato sauce and onion salad.

                                                  Vazhakoombu Cutlet


Tips
1.Use some oil and bread crumbs while mixing the cooked banana flower and potato.This helps to reduce the intake of oil while frying.Also it reduces the breakage of cutlet while frying.
2.You can use egg white instead of full egg.Beat the egg until it forms bubbles.
3.You can use instant mashed potato available.


Hope you all try this tasty recipe and leave me your valuable comments.

Happy cooking viewers...

Kottayam Kitchen

:-)

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