Getting used to the same meals can be at times boring. Worse still, you may end up losing your appetite and probably supply your body with fewer nutrients. How to cook banana Sometimes, bringing that scrumptious meal on the table may mean discovering new menus and cooking ideas. How to cook banana flower blossoms are one of the popular recipes that are gaining more popularity among western dishes.

When fried and battered, these flowers resemble a fish in regards to color and texture. Though most people pay more attention to the banana fruit, studies have shown that banana flowers are rich in healthy nutrients which are essential to the body, and including them in your diet can help fight some health complications. Detailed below are the benefits of eating banana blossoms, tips on how to cook and enjoy them, and recipes! But before you get to all these fun parts, get to know more about bananas:

Get to know them

Banana blossoms are the long, oval-shaped, and purple flowers that protrude from the heart of the banana plant. Widely grown in tropical area, bananas are important fruits to Africa. Tanzania, Uganda, Nigerian and many other countries on the continent grow them both as cash crops and also food staples at home. Bananas and plantains are deemed families. Some scientists generally refer to banana as herbs more often than they refer to them as fruits.  Bananas plants have both male and female sexes with the female ones emerging first, and then the males. Only the female plants grow on into bananas, thus only them generally make it to the dishes as the male plants die off before growing.

What are the benefits of eating banana flowers?

• Helps fight depression
• Helps reduce heavy menstrual flow
• Regulates blood pressure
• Has high iron levels which help manage diabetes and prevents anemia
• Rich in magnesium which helps manage anxiety levels and boost moods
• Triggers milk production for lactating mothers
• Promotes healthy digestion

Here are Recipes!

• A tin 565g of banana flower
• Small plain flour bowl
• 1tsp of lemon juice
• White wine 200 ml
• Seaweed flakes-1-2tsp
• One tsp salt
• Hot water
• 250 ml gluten-free vegetable stock

Batter

• Two tsp baking powder
• Vegetable oil ( for deep frying)
• 200g plain flour ( freeze it for 15 minutes)
• 300 ml cold vegan beer

Method

• Slowly drain all the water inside your banana blossom tin and discard
• Rinse your banana flowers thoroughly
• Remove the banana flowers carefully and place them on a large bowl. Put aside any pieces that may have separated.
• Add your lemon juice, vegetable stock, seaweed flakes, whine, salt and top it up with hot water till your banana flowers are almost covered.
• Put it aside for about one hour.

Batter

• Add your salt, baking powder with your chilled flour. Add your cold beer and whisky them till you get a thick paste
• Put vegetable oil on a saucepan ( half full) and heat it on medium heat
• Carefully take out your banana blossoms and immerse them in an extra seaweed sprinkle.
• Remove your banana flowers again and dip them into the plain flour. Ensure each piece is adequately covered before deep frying.
• Fry the pieces for a few minutes until they turn brownish and crispy. Detach right away in case you notice some stickiness at the bottom of the pan; otherwise, it will turn brownish fast.
• Using a slotted turner, remove each piece and place it on a kitchen roll to drain all the excess oil
• Serve it with chips or fried chicken and tartar sauce

Fun Fact: Did you know that the largest plantain producing countries are mostly African countries?

Test your knowledge- List the 3 African countries that produce bananas the most. Send your answers in the comment section below: