Boashi Hikikoh

We already have two banana blossom recipes here on Lonumedhu; a fried one “theluli boashi” and a “hanaakuri” type boashi. And here we have a simpler yet really delicious version, which you really must try.

Serves: 3

Ingredients:

• 1 banana blossom (boashi)
• 2 tsp. salt
• 4 cups water
• 1 large onion
• 10 bilimbi
• 2 tbsp. oil
• 15 curry leaves
• 5 dried red chillies (or to taste)
• 1 cups sliced smoked tuna

Instructions:

1. Slice the boashi into thin strips.
2. Place the sliced boashi in a large bowl and add the salt. Mix well and set aside for around 5 minutes.
3. Then add the water and let it soak for around 10 minutes. Then rinse and drain the mixture.
4. Slice the onion thinly, cut the bilimbi into halves lengthwise and break the dried red chillies into halves too.
5. Heat the oil in a large pot and add the sliced onion, curry leaves and dried red chillies. Cook on medium heat until the onions soften and start turning golden.
6. Add the bilimbi and the sliced smoked tuna and mix to combine. Put the lid on and on low to medium heat, cook the mixture until the boashi is soft and cooked through. For us this took around half an hour. Remember to have a taste and make adjustments as necessary before calling it done. It was salty enough for us, so we didn’t add anymore salt, but you might want to.