Vaazhai Poo vadai (Banana Flower vada) & the Health Benefits of Vazhai Poo

Today we are going to see how to make Crispy, Healthy and very Tasty Vaazhai Poo Vadai.

Vaazhai poo vadai (Banana flower vada)

Some interesting information about Vaazhai Poo (Banana flower)

Banana flower, also called banana blossom or banana heart, has great health benefits.

It is very nutritious and contains important minerals like phosphorus, calcium, potassium, copper, magnesium, and iron, which are essential for many body functions.

Most of the banana flowers found in various markets across different states come from Tamil Nadu. 

Nowadays, people include natural and nutritious foods in their daily diet. 

As everyone has become more health-conscious, the demand for banana flowers grown in Tamil Nadu is increasing.

Various dishes like vada, soup, curry, adai, poriyal, and koottu are made using banana flowers.

This banana flower is used as a vegetable in our cooking. Banana flowers can be found in red and purple colours.

Banana flowers have soft parts and come in yellow and white colors. They can be a bit bitter.

To reduce the bitterness, you can soak the banana flowers in a bowl of water mixed with lemon juice or in water mixed with curd.

The taste of banana flowers is not the same as that of banana fruit.

Banana flowers develop into banana fruit. Therefore, the aroma found in banana flowers is similar to that of banana fruit.

Banana flowers can be brewed into tea and used as a health supplement.

It is said to have a nice taste that is a bit sweet and floral, but the sap between the petals should be taken out before cooking, as it can taste bitter.

Like Bananas, the leaves of the Banana flower can spoil easily and will change to brown or black when they come into contact with air.

So, it's best not to remove the outer layers until you are ready to use them.

Banana flower extracts have antioxidants and boost collagen, helping to lessen signs of ageing like wrinkles, sagging, and dull skin.

Health Benefits of Vaazhai Poo (Banana Flower)

Vaazhai poo (banana flower)

1. Supports Menstrual Wellness

Cooked banana flowers are great for menstrual health. They can help ease abdominal pain and reduce menstrual bleeding.

When eaten with curd or yoghurt, these banana flowers boost the progesterone hormone in the body, which helps to reduce bleeding.

2. Improve Lactation in Women

Banana flower is a vegetable known for its ability to boost milk production in breastfeeding mothers.

It also provides support to the uterus and can help minimize bleeding after childbirth.

3. Boost Iron Levels

Banana flowers are high in iron, which can significantly boost iron levels in the body and help with symptoms of anaemia like fatigue, tiredness, irregular heartbeat, pale skin, and cold hands and feet.

Including banana flowers in your meals regularly can raise red blood cell counts and fight iron deficiency anaemia.

4. Supports Bone Health

Banana flowers are rich in potassium, calcium, and vitamins A, C, and E. They also have strong flavonoids like quercetin and catechin.

These nutrients can help ease joint pain, boost bone mineral density, and lower osteocalcin levels, which may help prevent osteoporosis.

5. Promotes Kidney Function

Banana flower is rich in nutrients that help the kidneys work well.

Including young banana flowers in your diet can naturally help break down painful kidney stones and reduce the chances of inflammation and urinary issues.

6. Hair Growth

Banana flowers can help reduce oxidative stress by shielding your hair from outside damage and enhancing its thickness and texture.

The extracts from this flower are important components in various hair products like serums, oils, creams, and masks.

It is essential for strengthening hair follicles and promoting hair growth.

7. Supports Collagen Creation

Banana flowers are rich in vitamin C and magnesium. Vitamin C and magnesium are important for making collagen, which helps keep skin elastic and firm, reducing wrinkles and fine lines.

Required Ingredients for Making Vaazhai Poo Vadai

Chopped Banana flower - 1.5 cups

Chana Dhal (Kadalai Paruppu) -  200g

Dried red chillies - 3 pieces

Garlic - 5 cloves

Ginger - 1 inch piece

Green chillies - 2 pieces

Curry leaves - 1 sprig

Coriander leaves - a handful

Cumin seeds - ½ teaspoon

Fennel seeds - ½ teaspoon

Cinnamon stick - 1 piece

Small onions - 15 pieces

Turmeric powder - a pinch

Salt - As needed

Oil -  As needed

Procedure for Making Vaazhai Poo Vadai

• First, take a cup of Channa dhal (Kadalai Paruppu) and put them in a bowl. Add water and let them soak for about three hours.

• Soak the dried red chillies along with soaked Chana dhal.

• Take fresh banana flowers and chop them into small pieces. Rinse and clean the banana flower thoroughly before chopping.

• Add the cleaned banana flowers to a mixer without adding any water and grind them coarsely. The moisture in the banana flowers is enough for grinding.

• Tranfer the ground banana flowers to a large mixing bowl.

• Completely drain the water from the soaked Channa dhal and place it in the mixer. Also, add the soaked red chillies to the mixer.

• Add five cloves of garlic, one inch of ginger, half a teaspoon of cumin, half a teaspoon of fennel, two green chillies, and one stick of cinnamon.

• Grind all the ingredients in the mixer without adding any water. You should grind the vada mixture coarsely; you should not grind it into a smooth paste.

• All the ground ingredients should now be mixed with the banana flower that has been kept in the mixing bowl.

• Now add the finely chopped onions, curry leaves, coriander leaves, asafoetida, and the required amount of salt to the mixing bowl.

• Mix all the ingredients in a mixing bowl thoroughly. Now the Vaazhai Poo Vadai dough is ready.

Procedure for frying Vaazhai Poo Vadai

• Shape the dough into medium-sized patties/vadas. Heat the oil on the stove while you shape all the vadas.

• Put a small pinch of dough into the oil; if it raises immediately, then the oil temperature is just perfect.

• Now, add the shaped vada dough one by one to the oil. Make sure they cook well and turn golden brown on both sides.

• The vadas should also become crispy and crunchy. Fry the vadas in medium flame. Drain in tissue paper once the vadas reached the correct consistency.

That's it! Our Crispy and Crunchy Vaazhai Poo Vadai is ready now.

Wow! Our Healthy, Crispy, and Tasty Vaazhai Poo Vadai is ready to enjoy now. Share it with your loved ones and enjoy eating together!