TODAY -

Banana flower vada

S Balakrishnan *



A riddle goes like this - 'A flower indeed, no doubt; but women don't wear it nor to the gods is it offered. What flower is it?' Obviously, the answer is in the title itself - it is the banana flower. Despite these drawbacks it has a tasty role to play. When it is made as vada, there is nothing to beat it. It may not be as popular as its cousin, the soft vada, maybe because of the intricacies in preparing it but the result is mouth-watering.

The most popular of the vada family is the soft vada (the correct spelling of this South Indian delicacy is vadai, as the South Indian names traditionally end with. So, don't forget the i nor to dot it). This soft vadai is made up of urad dhal (black gram), hence the softness.

The black gram with the black skin removed, because our love for white skin is known well. That is why our market is flooded with fairness creams & lotions even for men! So it is appropriately called the 'medhu' vadai, certifying its soft nature, and is also called the 'ulundu' (urad dhal) vadai.

Its uniqueness is in its mystic centre hole which aids in the inside batter getting cooked evenly. How ingenious of our ancestors! The Sangh Pariwar could proclaim aloud to the world that it was Indians who invented the hole and also first used it scientifically for the good of humankind.

Then there is its cousin, the paruppu vadai, made of bengal gram. Because its shape resembles a turtle, it is called 'aamai' (turtle) vadai in Tamil. But believe me, it is purely a vegetarian cuisine. Another tastier and crispier vadai type is the 'keerai' vadai with greens as an ingredient. The greens, when fried, give it the crispy quality.

These three varieties of vadai - the medhu/ulundu, paruppu/turtle, and keerai - are popular as they are easy to prepare compared to the heroine of this article. Heroine, because it is made out of a flower. Of course, unlike in Hindi, the Tamil grammar does not qualify inanimate objects into male and female genders.

Even out of this trio, the first two are available even in small eateries, especially the road-side eateries. These two go well with tea or coffee. You wash a couple of these vadais down with either of these beverages and you can sustain for a few hours. The rate though varies as per the standard of the eateries. Vadai usually goes well with chutney or sambhar.

Again, in chutney there could be umpteen varieties, the most popular being coconut chutney. There isjust one more vadai, the 'thavalai' (frog) vadai, prepared by mixing various dhal varieties, but not quite popular. Maybe the name puts off people, particularly the vegetarians.

By noon, the unsold medhu vadais that were prepared in the morning take different avatars. Along with the remaining sambar they combine to form hot sambhar vadai; if it is summer season, the vadais are soaked in curd and refrigerated to become cool, classy and costly curd vadais. The turtle vadai, unfortunately, cannot assume any other avatar, maybe because Lord Vishnu Himself had taken its form in His second avatar as Koorma.

The banana flower (blossom) vadai was brought to my gastronomic notice by a Tamil film. How wrong the saying "'ignorance is bliss"', I realised only after tasting this variety of vadai, of which I was ignorant till then. In the Tamil film 'Kandu konden, kandu konden' ('I have found it'), the once-rich heroines' (two heroines, Aishwarya Rai & Tabu), family becomes a pauper due to machination of relatives; hence their mother is forced work as a cook in a city restaurant where she prepares her unique banana flower vadai.

One of the heroes (naturally there have to be at least two heroes, no? But here there are three heroes to add drama to the plot, which is said to be based on Jane Austin's Sense & Sensibility), Malluwood superstar Mammootty, who happens to visit the eatery, tastes this special item. By its taste he is damn sure it must have been prepared by that particular lady, as he had earlier tasted it at their palatial village house.

The rest you can as well guess - yes, everything ends well, of course with some twists & turns.

After watching the movie on TV, at home we went mad searching the recipe for this unheard of unique vadai variety. And with the cooperation of all the family members, the first experiment was launched. It turned out 50% successful. By trials and errors, I must admit that at last my wife has become an expert banana flower vadai maker, for which the family members willingly served as guinea pigs.

But note that I am solidly hidden behind her success, because the complicated process of preparing the banana flower for vadai always falls on me. Succumbing to its taste, I willingly undertake this dirty job. Dirty, because my manicured nails get stained and remain so for over a week, revealing my weakness for this vadai. That is the punishment if one's tongue becomes slave to tasty food. Here is the straining-cum-staining preparation process-

First the bracts/petals are removed (the big bracts can later be used as eco-friendly disposable plates to serve the vadais), and the florets (the future bananas) thus collected are kept aside. Then the pistil (which resembles a match stick) is removed from each and every single floret along with the calyx, the outer covering in each floret; remember, there would be a minimum of 100 or even more florets in a single flower!

After this back-breaking and patience-testing tedious cleaning process, the cleaned florets are cut into small pieces and soaked in water mixed with buttermilk to avoid discoloration and to reduce the astringent taste. Later, the diced floret material is taken out, the excess water squeezed out and used for various preparations. Besides vadai, the material thus prepared can also be used to make stir-fried dish or as a gravy dish with tur dhal.

Now, let us concentrate on vadai only. The cleansed & squeezed floret material is mixed with Bengal gram dhal that is pre-soaked, and put in mixie and ground coarsely by adding salt, dried chillies, onion, asafoetida (for its digestive property and flavour). The solid batter is rolled into small balls of ping-pong size, flattened with hands and then deep fried. Lo! At last the crispy & tasty banana flower vadai is ready. It goes well even without chutney. Tomato sauce comes handy as a good substitute for chutney.

Sometimes I load myself with so many of this vadai as evening snacks (after all I have laboured so much; so, don't I deserve them?) that I am forced to sacrifice my dinner, or end up with just curd rice. At this tasty juncture, I am reminded of a fable where a fox tricks the crow to drop the vadai it is carrying in its beak (earlier stolen by it from an elderly lady who was preparing vadais on the street side).

This local version could either predate Aesop's fable or be an adapted version where cheese is replaced with vadai. Make in India! So much so that nowadays if someone loses something to someone, it is wryly commented upon as 'your vadai is forfeited'!

Vadai (particularly the soft variety) is so popular that in the hotels it is a must item in the breakfast menu; it could be either a combination of idli (note the letter "'i"' here also) & vadai, or pongal & vadai. This is so in wedding menu also.

Special guests' arrival at home is indicated with hectic preparation for vadai and payasam (payas). Most of the religious and social festivities are also marked by vadai's ubiquitous presence. As I start and conclude this gastronomic masterpiece travelling in a day train, the tempting smell of medhu (soft) vadai wafts, preceding the vendor's call.

Bon appetite, but don't blame me if your beautifully manicured nails get stained. As far as I am concerned, I have a cost-effective manicuring method by way of biting the nails which may not be a healthy method. Remember to air parcel your banana blossom vadai (at least a dozen) for my review & rating!


* S Balakrishnan wrote this article for The Sangai Express
The writer can be contacted at krishnanbala2004(AT)yahoo(DOT)co(DOT)in
This article was webcasted on August 04, 2018.



* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Ougri Lirol :: Part 2 : Ooba Video
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • Jianreilung, Chingamba, Masounii : eMing
  • How Jessami conservation of Nongin
  • Shija Hospitals turns 40
  • COVID-19: Update 06 July 2025 : Manipur
  • The Indomitable Young Souls :: Poem
  • Growing network of drug dealers in country
  • Politics of SoO pact since 2008
  • 31st Governor Cup Polo Tournament : Gallery
  • PM welcome to Manipur: Feel the reality
  • Kainkhol wins best Social Message Film Award
  • Distortion of facts: Manipur sports movement
  • Govt services reach Manipur's tribal villages
  • 134th Durand Cup Trophies Flag Off
  • COVID-19: Update 05 July 2025 : Manipur
  • How to take care of oily skin in monsoon
  • First-Ever Tripura Esports Championship
  • Konung Kang Chingba #1 : Gallery
  • Manipur Iskcon's 25th Ratha Yatra 2025
  • Native Threshing machine made for farmers
  • COVID-19: Update 04 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Riso Ejang: Youth-led Transformation
  • Include males too in addressing HPV
  • Whispers from the past :: Poem
  • LPU opens permanent outreach centre
  • Raj Bhavan moving on the right track
  • Speculations over PM Modi's visit to state
  • Colonial Knowledge Production in NE #7
  • Make Yourself Visible to Opportunity
  • Orange bowl: tradition with ecological wisdom
  • 10 ways to keep a kitchen garden disease free
  • Between PR, military mandates & AFSPA
  • Allocation fund for MLALAD Fund during PR
  • Denounces Killing of KNA Deputy C-in-C
  • COVID-19: Update 03 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Cases of fake Aadhaar cards
  • Sincere dealing must for stricter Aadhaar
  • Archaeology: Culture of Manipur : Booklet
  • Wanna be a singer? Get Botox
  • A Central institute in Manipur
  • Nagging in the name of love
  • COVID-19: Update 02 July 2025 : Manipur
  • 'Benefits' of Indira's Emergency
  • Social Stigma :: Poem
  • Inking a peace pact: Why, how: SoO quagmire
  • Van Mahotsav under shadow of declining forest
  • 11th Th Kishan Memorial Lecture : Gallery
  • Manipur crisis & the Left media's blind spot
  • COVID-19: Update 01 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Bombom RK : Musclemania Universe NYC
  • The Grief :: Poem
  • Music Concert & Quiz (MCQ) 2.0
  • SoO agreement unlikely to be scrapped
  • Regulating use of plastic carry bags
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #4 : Gallery
  • International Day of Yoga @JNMDA : Gallery
  • BD Behring: The inimitable Gentleman I knew
  • Violence in the name of patriotism : Misguided
  • Daily oral vs long-acting injectable for HIV
  • COVID-19: Update 30 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Smile :: Poem
  • Why was President's Rule imposed ?
  • BJP under pressure to forge unity
  • Kang @Leikai in Imphal : Gallery
  • July Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • COVID-19 : A recurring crisis in Manipur
  • DC Kaith and Forestry in Manipur : Book
  • COVID-19: Update 29 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Longing for Peace :: Poem
  • Black badge, slogan protest by peeved scribes
  • Present the true picture before Delhi
  • Pung-Cholom @ Polo Tournament : Gallery
  • Life: A Journey Through Thought & Being
  • Khongjai Hills & Kuki claim to indigeneity
  • Master Time by Managing Information
  • COVID-19: Update 28 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Pride & patriotism in CCpur's army families
  • The Power of Poppy - 87 :: Poem
  • World Decarbonisation Day: green environment
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #2 : Gallery
  • Loss of two precious lives from Manipur
  • Balancing civil liberties with public safety
  • COVID-19: Update 27 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Gender equality & human rights are indivisible
  • Stay hydrated this summer season
  • Silent Half of the Sun :: Poem
  • Connecting the dots in the wishlist
  • Assembly record tampering claims by ex-CM
  • The immortal legacy of Pukhramba Kajao
  • International Day against Drug Abuse 2025
  • COVID-19: Update 26 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Black pottery from Ukhrul - tribal heritage
  • Program on "Mission-Drug Free Campus"
  • Play makes a better world
  • Urgent Appeal to the Honourable MLAs
  • Tribal Empowerment Campaign at CCpur
  • Talk doing the round: PM to come
  • 'Emergency' relief for under-fire BJP
  • Golden Jubilee Art Fair @Imphal : Gallery
  • Declaration: Meetei People Convention, Delhi
  • A Flower Among the Rocks :: Review
  • Book Donation Campaign
  • Improved road connectivity boosts livelihoods
  • To Have Great Dreams :: Poem
  • COVID-19: Update 25 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Regret vs Sorry: Technical & moral insight
  • Cocktail of inept Govt, selfish people
  • State trailing others in cleanliness
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #6
  • UHI effect & rising temperatures in Manipur
  • Frequent road blockades cripple economy
  • COVID-19: Update 24 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Unite Health with Community health services
  • NSU, Imphal, tops IIRF Ranking 2025
  • Endless conflict :: Poem
  • Pak nobel pish prize for Trump
  • May 3, 2023 - June 24, 2025: Failure of Delhi
  • Hotter days, sudden rainfall no more a rarity
  • "The Great June Uprising" #2 : Gallery
  • How to Build a Career, Lead with Purpose
  • 2nd Foundation Day- Karnataka Meitei Assn
  • COVID-19: Update 23 June 2025 : Manipur
  • NSCN-IM Amnesty threatens to isolate it
  • Sunset :: Poem
  • Intl Yoga Day for a healthier environment
  • Of clogged drains and plastics
  • Poor roads testify Govt indifference
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #1 : Gallery
  • The Silent Erosion of Manipuri Language
  • Design health services around people
  • Serene Hills Host Inspiring Int'l Yoga Day
  • COVID-19: Update 22 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Chopper services between Senapati & Imphal
  • High Court Judges interacted with convicts
  • Redyeing the Fabric :: Poem
  • Differences yet to be resolved stand
  • Border fencing rage as solution eludes
  • Radio E-pao: 14 new songs updated
  • Climate Adaptive Agroforestry
  • Manipur overlooked demographic shifts
  • Young designers shine on Fashion Stage
  • COVID-19: Update 21 June 2025 : Manipur
  • International Day of Yoga at Lamphelpat
  • International Day of Yoga at JNMDA
  • The Power of Poppy - 86 :: Poem
  • Keishampat Lairembi Haraoba #1 : Gallery
  • Crisis in Manipur's Contemporary Education
  • Best 8 Performances in Manipuri Cinema
  • Identity: Caught between China & India ?
  • COVID-19: Update 20 June 2025 : Manipur
  • To The Father Who Listens :: Poem
  • How does net suspension affect youths ?
  • Targeting farmers to cripple state's economy
  • The virus is back and spreading
  • Who is afraid of Manipur ?
  • A threatened lily growing at Shirui Hills
  • World Environment Day in Manipur : Gallery
  • Ambubachi Mela at Maa Kamakhya
  • COVID-19: Update 19 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Dolls made from repurposed vegetable refuse
  • Condemns Attack on Farmer & Killing
  • Abhorrent politics of SoO
  • Police arrogance on harmless drivers
  • "The Great June Uprising" #1 : Gallery
  • UK Meetei diaspora run for Myanmar : Gallery
  • Thang-Ta Day @Khuman Lampak #3 : Gallery
  • 50 years of Pebet #2 : Gallery
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • Protest @Checkon -AT arrest [Jun 9] : Gallery
  • Protests - AT arrest [Jun 8 night] : Gallery
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #1 : Gallery
  • /li>
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #2 : Gallery
  • North East NSS Festival @ MU : Gallery
  • Trump's tariff legacy & its global echo
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #3 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #2 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #1 : Gallery
  • S Nirupama @Miss Universe : Gallery
  • Protesters to Raj Bhavan [May 25]: Gallery
  • Human Chain @Airport road [May 26]: Gallery
  • Miss Shirui Pageant Contestant: Gallery
  • 48 hrs Bandh: protest security forces: Gallery
  • Protest Rally: Journalist harassment: Gallery
  • HSLC 2025: Full Result (Check Roll No)
  • HSLC 2025: Important Info & Grading System
  • HSLC 2025 : Compartmental candidates
  • HSLC 2025 : Comparative Statement
  • HSLC 2025 : Statistical Abstract
  • HSLC 2025 : District Pass Percentage
  • HSLC 2025 : Govt School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Aided School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Private School Pass %
  • People's Convention on 3rd May #2 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2025 #2: Gallery
  • Riya Khwairakpam : HSE Science Topper
  • Keisham Hannah : HSE Arts Topper
  • Warepam Lidia : HSE Commerce Topper
  • HSE 2025 Result : Science Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Arts Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Commerce Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Information / Abbreviation
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Science
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Arts
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Commerce
  • HSE 2025 : Pass Percentage
  • HSE 2025 : Result Abstract
  • HSE 2025 : Candidates with Highest Marks
  • President's Rule in Manipur : 1967 - 2025
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025