Vazhathatta / Vazhakoombu / Vazhapoovu Thoran (Plantain flower stir fry)

Fruits...vegetables...nuts...Now it is time to eat some flowers! Highly nutritional:)

Ingredients (Serves 4 to 5 people)

Vazhakoombu (Plantain flower): 1
Grated Coconut: 1/2 Cup
Green Chilly : 4 - 5
Shallots: 8 - 10
Turmeric Powder: 1/4 Tea Spoon
Coconut Oil: 2 Table Spoon
Mustard Seeds: 1/4 Table Spoon

Plantain flower

Dried Red Chilly: 4 - 5
Curry Leaves
Salt
Water

Cooking time: 10 to 15 minutes
Method

Remove the outer 5 to 6 flaps of the vazhakoombu(Plantain flower). You may remove till you find the top part neat and white.
Wash the rest of the vazhakoombu well.  (Only this part is used for cooking)

We will be using only the centre part shown in picture

Put criss cross lines using a knife and finely chop the vazhakoombu
Crush grated coconut, shallots and green chillies
Add this to the chopped vazhakoombu
Add Curry Leaves, Turmeric powder and Salt and mix well using your hands
To a pan pour oil and add mustard seeds
Once the mustard seeds finishes popping add dried red chillies

The mixture

Once it becomes brown add the vazhakoombu(Plantain flower) mix to it
Give a good stir, sprinkle some water and close the lid and cook in low flame
Open in-between and stirr.  If required sprinkle some more water.
Serve Hot

Note:
Do not pour more water, only sprinkle a little water

Once you chop the vazhakoombu(Plantain flower), you have to cook it soon.  Keeping it exposed to air will turn it black in color