Banana Flower Wade Recipe
40 Mins
4-5 People
5 Hours
Introduction
I still remember the first time I saw a banana flower. I was in South India, and I thought it was just a fancy purple flower hanging under a banana tree. But when I learned that you can actually cook it and make crispy vadas from it, I was amazed. It looked like a flower, but inside it had layers and tiny parts that could be turned into something delicious.
When I made the Banana Flower Wade for the first time, the aroma in my kitchen was beautiful. The crunch from the fried vada, the softness inside, and the earthy taste of banana flower mixed with chana dal made it very special. I realized how simple ingredients from nature can become something so tasty and unique when cooked the right way.
Ingredients of Banana Flower Wade
Portion/Servings: 4–5 pax
Preparation Time: 5 hrs
Cooking Time: 40 mins
- Banana flower – 1 pc
- Chana dal (soaked) – 1½ cup
- Saunf – 1 tsp
- Cinnamon – 1 inch
- Chilli flakes – 1 tsp
- Curry leaves (chopped) – 1 tsp
- Coriander (chopped) – 1 tbsp
- Onion (chopped) – 1 pc
- Ginger (chopped) – 1 tsp
- Garlic (chopped) – 1 tbsp
- Salt – 1 tsp
- Turmeric powder – ½ tsp
- Red chilli powder – ½ tsp
- Hing – 1 tsp
- Oil – for deep frying
Instructions of Banana Flower Wade
Step 1: Cleaning and Preparing the Banana Flower
Peel off the outer tough layers of the banana flower until you reach the softer, pale inner layers. Remove and discard the small, hard bracts and the stem portion at the base. Separate the small florets carefully from the main core. Trim off the hard purple tips from each floret and remove the tiny, thread-like pistils from inside each floret. Rinse the florets thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or bitterness. Place the cleaned florets in a bowl of water with a little salt or lemon juice to prevent darkening. Drain the florets before using them in the wade mixture.
Step 2: Preparing the Dal Mixture
Soak chana dal for a few hours or overnight until soft. Drain the soaked dal and grind it coarsely with saunf, cinnamon, and chilli flakes. Add chopped curry leaves, coriander, onion, ginger, garlic, salt, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, and hing. Mix well to form a thick, slightly coarse batter. Fold in the cleaned banana flower florets carefully so they are coated evenly with the dal mixture.
Step 3: Shaping and Frying the Wade
Heat oil in a deep pan for frying. Take small portions of the banana flower-dal mixture and shape them into flat discs or patties. Carefully slide the wades into the hot oil. Fry on medium heat, turning occasionally, until golden brown and crisp on both sides. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain excess oil on kitchen paper.
Step 4: Serving
Serve the Banana Flower Wade hot with a cup of steaming tea. The wade should be crispy on the outside and flavorful with the earthy taste of banana flower inside. Enjoy the snack as it is or with your favorite chutney.
Info About the Recipe
Banana Flower Wade is a crispy and flavorful South Indian snack made using chana dal and chopped banana flower. It has a crunchy texture on the outside and remains soft inside. The banana flower adds a unique earthy taste that blends beautifully with spices like fennel, cinnamon, chili, and curry leaves.
Cleaning the banana flower properly is an important step in this recipe. Each petal of the flower has small white parts inside — one thin white petal and one hard stigma. These two parts should be removed because they do not cook well. The rest of the flower is chopped and used in the mixture, giving the vada both taste and nutrition.
The mixture of soaked and crushed chana dal, banana flower, onions, ginger, garlic, curry leaves, and spices is shaped into flat vadas and fried until golden and crispy. The result is a perfect balance of crunch and flavor. You can enjoy these wadas as a snack or serve them during tea time with friends and family.
Cooking Tips
- Always remove the small white petal and the hard stigma from each banana flower floret. These parts don’t cook properly and can affect the taste.
- Grind the soaked chana dal coarsely, not into a fine paste. This gives the vadas a nice texture and helps make them crispy.
- Add a little asafoetida (hing) to the mixture — it enhances the flavor and helps in digestion.
- Wet your hands before shaping the vadas so that the mixture doesn’t stick to your palms.
- Fry the Banana Flower Wade on medium heat to ensure that they cook evenly and remain crisp outside while soft inside.
Pairing Guide
Banana Flower Wade pairs beautifully with a hot cup of filter coffee or masala chai. The crispy texture and spicy flavor go well with the bitterness of coffee or the warmth of tea.
You can also serve them with coconut chutney or green coriander chutney for an added burst of freshness. If you want to keep it simple, they taste amazing even without any chutney — just enjoy them hot, straight out of the pan.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Banana Flower Wade?
Banana Flower Wade is a South Indian snack made using chopped banana flower and chana dal. The mixture is shaped into small patties and fried until golden brown and crispy.
2. How do I clean the banana flower for Banana Flower Wade?
While cleaning, remove the small white petal and the hard stigma from each floret, as they don’t cook properly. Use only the soft inner parts of the banana flower for the Banana Flower Wade.
3. Can I make Banana Flower Wade without onion and garlic?
Yes, you can skip onion and garlic. The flavor of the banana flower, dal, and spices will still make the Banana Flower Wade delicious and aromatic.
4. Why is my Banana Flower Wade not crispy?
If your Banana Flower Wade turns out soft, it may be due to excess moisture in the mixture or frying on low heat. Always drain the dal well and fry on medium flame for perfect crispiness.
5. What is the main ingredient in Banana Flower Wade?
The main ingredients are banana flower and soaked chana dal. These two create the base for the Banana Flower Wade, giving it texture and a nutty, earthy flavor.
6. Is Banana Flower Wade healthy?
Yes, Banana Flower Wade is quite nutritious. Banana flower is rich in fiber, iron, and antioxidants, while chana dal provides protein. Together, they make a wholesome and tasty snack.
7. Can I bake Banana Flower Wade instead of frying?
Yes, you can bake or air-fry Banana Flower Wade for a healthier version. They may not be as crispy as deep-fried ones but will still be flavorful.
8. How long can I store Banana Flower Wade?
Banana Flower Wade tastes best when eaten fresh and hot. However, you can store the fried wadas in an airtight container for up to a day or refrigerate the uncooked mixture for 24 hours.
9. What can I serve with Banana Flower Wade?
Banana Flower Wade goes perfectly with coconut chutney, green chutney, or just a cup of filter coffee. It also works well as a tea-time snack or an appetizer for guests.
10. Why should I try Banana Flower Wade?
You should try Banana Flower Wade because it is a unique and tasty way to enjoy banana flower, which is full of nutrition and flavor. The combination of chana dal and banana flower creates a crispy, soft, and flavorful snack that you’ll love.