Vazhaipoo Vadai | Vazha Koombu Vada

Vazhai Poo Vadai | Banana Blossom Fritters is a healthy & tasty evening snack. I did taste these fritters for the first time during school days and it was just awesome. Vazhai poo has a lot of medicinal properties. Banana flowers are rich vitamins like C and E, flavonoids , protein, minerals like potassium,calcium,iron,copper, phosphorous,magnesium and dietary fiber. It is free from sodium.This flower has been used as a traditional medicine to treat bronchitis ,constipation, menstrual cramps and ulcer problems. It boosts mood and reduces the anxiety because the banana flowers have high levels of magnesium. It regulates the blood pressure. The study results of the journal phyto theraphy research shows ,the oral intake of banana flower extract for 30 days may significantly reduce the blood sugar levels in diabetic patients and increase the hemoglobin levels .
Banana flower has an antioxidant, anti microbial and hypo glycemic properties as well.The food science and bio technology recommended the use of banana flowers extracts to make health supplements due to its medicinal properties. Source: Revathi Perumal Samy

Preparation Time: 10 minutes+soaking time
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Cuisine: Tamil
Makes: 10-12 nos.
INGREDIENTS:
Chana dal- 1 cup
Banana Flower, chopped- 1/2-3/4 cup (I used two handfulls)
Onion, chopped-1 small
Green chillies, chopped- 3-4
Ginger, finely chopped- 1/2 teaspoons
Curry leaves- 1 strand
Fennel seeds- 1/2 teaspoon
Cumin seeds- 1/2 teaspoon
Asafetida- 1/4 teaspoon
Salt- to taste
Oil-to deep fry

PROCEDURE:

• Clean the banana flower by removing the centre stiff stick(pistil) and the scale. Chop the flower and soak inside water to prevent browing process if you are not preparing immediately.

• Soak chana dal in water for 2 hours.
• Meanwhile chop onion, green chillies, ginger and curry leaves.
• Drain the water totally and transfer that on a blender jar; add the fennel seeds and jeera.
• Coarsely grind and transfer it on a bowl.
• Now add onion, green chillies, ginger, curry leaves, asafetida and salt.
• Add the chopped banana blossom and mix well. 

• Mix well and check for salt. You could add a teaspoon of corn flour to make more crispy vadas.
• Heat oil in a deep pan and deep fry the vadas till crispy.

• Note:You could use half a cup of chana dal and half a cup of toor dal if you prefer. 
• You could replace green chillies with dry red chillies and soak them with chana dal and grind them together.