Banana Blossom Vegan Fish Recipe | Elephantastic Vegan (2024)

FAQs

What is banana blossom the next vegan food star with the texture of fish? ›

Banana blossoms are an edible flower that grow at the end of a bunch of bananas. Their petals are layered, and many liken the tender, flaky texture to that of cooked fish. If you've ever cooked with young green jackfruit, the texture is a bit similar!

To create the flavour and texture of fish, manufacturers use a variety of different ingredients. Some common ingredients found in vegan fish are chickpeas, pea protein, soy, tofu and potatoes.

Banana blossom, also known as a “banana heart”, is a fleshy, purple-skinned flower, shaped like a tear, which grows at the end of a banana fruit cluster. Traditionally used in south-east Asian and Indian cooking, it can also be eaten raw and its chunky, flaky texture makes it an ideal substitute for fish.

Even though they come from the same tree and literally grow off a cluster of bananas, you won't find any fruity banana flavor here—it's a flower, after all. Similar to jackfruit or tofu, the flavor of banana blossoms is neutral, meaning they can take on the taste of however you season them.

Unlike the sweet banana fruit, the flowers offer a mild to neutral taste, making them an ideal vegetarian alternative to fish, absorbing flavors from other ingredients in the recipe and mimicking the flaky texture of some fish.

Banana blossoms contain significant potassium, calcium, as well as vitamins A, C, and E apart from powerful flavonoids like quercetin and catechin. These can alleviate joint discomfort, increases bone mineral density, and reduce osteocalcin levels thus preventing chances of osteoporosis.

Most simply, a pescatarian is someone who doesn't eat red meat or poultry, but does eat fish and other seafood. The term pescatarian was coined in the early 1990s and is a combination of the Italian word for fish, “pesce,” and the word “vegetarian.” Sometimes it's spelled “pescetarian,” but this means the same thing.

Just 10 ingredients to make this vegan fish recipe! Tofu is sliced thinly part way through to make an amazing flaky texture. Then the tofu is coated in a marinade made with nori seaweed which gives a taste of the sea.

Vegans do not eat any animals or any food that is derived from animals. This means that vegans do not eat beef, pork, lamb, and other red meat. They also don't eat chicken, duck, and other poultry. And because fish are also living creatures, vegans don't eat fish or shellfish such as crabs, clams, and mussels.

Ingredients. Rice Flake (Rice, Emulsifier: Sodium Alginate), Wheat Flour (contains added Calcium, Iron, Niacin & Thiamine), Mycoprotein (12%), Water, Natural Flavouring, Rapeseed Oil, Stabiliser: Methylcellulose; Yeast, Salt, Paprika, Colour: Paprika Extract.

What is the difference between banana flower and banana blossom? ›

You must peel off the outer layers to reveal the edible portion of this beautiful flower, which consists of the florets and the core (heart). You can then use the outer petals, which typically aren't eaten, as serving plates. This delicious bloom is also known as banana blossom or banana heart.

Fruits: apples, pears, strawberries, blueberries, pineapple, bananas, etc. Choose in-season fruits, and opt for frozen fruit for smoothies. Vegetables: fresh or frozen, nutrient packed vegetables are the base of the vegan diet food pyramid.

The key ingredient in fish sauce may be fermented fish, but there are ways to replicate it without using animal ingredients. Often, recipes are made with seaweed to get that distinct seafood flavor. Dried shiitake mushrooms can add an element of earthiness, and, salt, of course, is a must.

The inner peach-pink core of the blossom is what's typically cooked. Since it's quick to oxidize and turn brown, raw banana blossom should be placed in cold water with a bit of salt or vinegar after chopping or shredding. (If you're using canned blossoms, they will come pre-cut or pre-shredded.).

The flower itself does not taste bitter. The bitterness comes from the sap between the petals. Clean the flower thoroughly. If sap remains use a dilute lemon water solution to remove the rest.

Taiyaki is made using regular pancake or waffle batter. The batter is poured into a fish-shaped mold for each side. The filling is then put on one side and the mold is closed. It is then cooked on both sides until golden brown.

Banana blossom has a meaty, tender texture that can resemble meat, making it a great plant-based alternative to substitute in our favourite dishes. It is also significant because it can be used to recreate the texture of fish, which is notoriously difficult to replicate with plants.

Also known as 'banana heart', the inflorescence produced by this tropical plant will develop, if female, into a cluster of bananas. Banana blossom is often compared to artichokes: not only is the taste similar (with a slight hint of bitterness), but also the way in which it is prepared.