Vazhaipoo vadai/ banana flower vadai

Vazhaipoo alias banana flower, not sure of actual name... I am a great fan of vazhaipoo. I love vazhaipoo kootu and vadai. In India, my mom used to make kootu which tastes heavenly. Vazhai poo vadai will be very crispy and tasty, if u have seen the movie Kandukondean Kandukondean u will know what i am taking about B-)

Once, I found vazhaipoo in Indian grocery shop. I was lucky, coz there was only one left. I grabbed it immediately. It needs some hard work before u get to eat the tasty vadas.. I think its worth it...




Ingredients:

1 banana flower
1 small onion
2 cups channa dal
2 cloves
1 tsp fennel seeds
green chillies / red chillies
coriander leaves
salt to taste
oil to deep fry

Preparation:

Soak channa dal for 6 hrs. Peel the outer skin from the banana flower. Remove the small white flowers inside and also remove the long stem inside each flower along with the outer feather. Cut them into small pieces and immediately place them in the turmeric water. Make sure u wear apron or some dark clothes coz vazahipoo will stain ur clothes badly!!!

Add green chillies, cloves, fennel seeds, coriander, salt and channa dal in a mixer jar. grind to a coarse paste. Transfer the contents in a bowl. Add onions and squeezed cut banana flower. Mix well. Make small vadai shapes and deep fry in oil. When vadai becomes golden brown, remove from heat .... serve hot!!!!