This is a delicious preparation made from the florets of the banana flower.
The flower of the banana tree has an amazing structure. It is fairly large .
The florets are hidden under the layers of the large purple colour bracts. When you peel away these bracts, you will notice a row of florets nestling under them.
The bhaaji is made from the florets. The bracts are to be discarded.
Cleaning these florets is a tedious process but the delicious taste and their high nutritive value , makes it all worth it.
Each floret has a thin black pistil ( a part of the flower) and a transparent plastic like part (the calyx). Discard both these.
Keep peeling off the bracts and use all the florets in the flower.
As you reach the rows towards in the end, the florets become very tender.
You can use these whole, without discarding the calyx and the pistil.
The bhaaji is a very simple recipe with basic ingredients. various parts of India make it in there own unique style.
At my place, we make it the ‘maharashtrian Konkani style”.
Black peas (kala vatana)are added to the dish to add volume and enhance the protein content.
Ingredients
1 kelful /banana flower
1/2 cup black peas (soaked overnight)
2 Tablespoon freshly scraped coconut
1 teaspoon green chilly paste
1 tablespoon thick tamarind pulp
For tadka
2 teaspoons oil
1/2 tsp mustard seeds
1/2 tsp jeera
1/2 tsp haldi
1/2 tsp hing
Method
Pressure cook the soaked peas .
Clean and chop the florets of the kelphool.
Soak these in tamarind pulp for 30 minutes. Add enough water to completely cover the florets.
Heat oil in a pan and make the tadka.
Add the chilly paste and sauté.
Drain the florets and add to the pan.
Cover and cook for a few minutes.
Add the peas.
Add salt, 1/2 tsp of sugar or jaggery, coconut, chopped coriander and mix.
Add water if required, this is a dry sabji.
Serve hot with poli or steamed rice .
Here are some suggestions to making this bhaji
You could use fresh green peas if available .
You could bring the coconut, jeera, green chillies and coriander together and use it.
You could use red chilly powder instead of green chillies.
You could use buttermilk to soak the florets , instead of tamarind pulp.
From textile designer, to fashion designer, to entrepreneur, to image consultant, to internationally certified ‘Heal your life coach’, to a lover of yoga, my journey had been that of discovery and learning.
Somewhere along this journey, I also became a wife, a companion, a mother, a daughter in law to being a mother in law myself!!! I’ve come a long way!
I enjoy interacting with people and sharing all that I have learnt along this journey.
There have been lots of failures but the lessons learnt from these experiences are priceless.
I believe that clothes , grooming , body language and appearance have a tremendous impact on not only how we feel but also how others react towards us.
However, the most stylish clothes and the best grooming habits are of no use unless we are healthy from within.
The key lies in balancing this Image that we project to the world, with the real YOU that the world sometimes fails to see.
The image that we project to the world, has to be Authentic, Appropriate, attractive and affordable.
Unless we work on this image from Inside out, no matter how much we work on it from outside, it will be inadequate.
I help people find their true self, to embrace themselves and accept themselves with all their flaws.
Thanks to the teachings of Louise Hays, I believe in the powers of affirmations and positivity.
Thanks to yoga, I am more aware of how strong our bodies can be. Yoga taught me awareness and staying in the moment.
My only regret is that I wish I had discovered yoga earlier in my life. It’s never to late to start yoga practices and the best time is NOW, no matter how old you are.
Through my blog, I am trying to make my readers aware of how easy and exciting this journey of self discovery can be.
So, this is how I would like to describe myself.
I am an artist, a poet, a fashion designer, a foodie, a mother, a wife, a daughter, a friend, a companion, a caretaker, a dreamer, a realist.
I want everything, and want to live to the fullest. I have an opinion about everything and am ever ready to give my advice and opinion , but only when it is asked for and is valued.
I am always ready to learn new things and also willing to share whatever knowledge I have gained in the last 5 decades of my life .
This is my platform, where I share my thoughts.
Feel free to visit and drop your comments.
View all posts by musingsofmruga
2 thoughts on “KelFul Bhaji”
WOW! The illustration is so pretty! Heard much about Banana Flower Bhaji but never tried.
musingsofmruga.com 
WOW! The illustration is so pretty! Heard much about Banana Flower Bhaji but never tried.
https://nanchi.blog/
LikeLike
Thank you 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person