How to Clean a Banana Blossom? Banana Heart? Banana Flower? What are these?
I was in the Philippines recently and one of the abundant fruit bearing trees common in backyards is the banana tree.
If you see a fruit bearing banana tree, the banana blossom is the tear drop shaped maroon or purplish flower hanging at the end of banana fruit cluster. The banana blossom also referred to as banana heart or banana flower.
In Asian countries the banana blossom has many uses. It can be eaten raw or cooked.
Tips to Clean Banana Blossom
Cleaning a banana blossom is easy if all you need is the banana heart. But cleaning the banana florets can be tedious.
Before handling the banana blossom, rub oil and lemon juice in your hands, the cutting board and the knife to avoid staining.
Also, prepare a big bowl with 6 cups of water and squeeze one or two lemon. Once the banana blossom is cleaned place it in water with lemon to prevent discoloration.
When cleaning a banana blossom, peel the maroon or purple leaves and remove the cluster of florets. Discard the leaves and set aside the florets. Repeat this process till you can no longer peel the leaves.
The banana heart is white or yellowish in color. The banana heart and the florets are edible.
Tips to Clean Banana Florets
To clean the florets, remove the hard stamen and the translucent petal. The translucent petal is located at the outer part of the floret while the hard stamen is inside the flower.
It is easier to locate the hard stamen first, then pull it forward together with the translucent petal. You'll get the hang of it after repeating the process a few times.
Once the floret is cleaned, put it in water with lemon. Leave them in water with lemon until you are ready to use or cook them.
The banana blossom is delicious. I use it in sinigang, kare kare, seafood kare kare, ginataang gulay and many more.
How to Clean a Banana Blossom Video
How to Clean a Banana Blossom
Instructions
- Peel and remove the outer leaves.
- Once peeled there are a bunch of florettes. Remove all the florettes and set aside.
- Peel again all the leaves and remove all the florettes.
- Repeat this process till you get to the yellowish or white banana heart and no more leaves to peel.
- Discard all the leaves.
- Save the florettes for salads, ginataang. How to prepare the banana florettes.
- Cut the banana heart into 4 or 6 pieces. Soak both florettes and banana heart in water with lemon.
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