Banana Blossoms Are a Surprising Vegan Fish Alternative You're Gonna Love shape.com
Banana Blossoms Are the Vegan Protein Everyone Can Appreciate Banana blossom, which can be prepared as you would a vegetable, also happens to make a convincing substitute for fish.
By Kirsten Nunez January 29, 2021 Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team.
Step aside, there's a new plant-based protein alternative in town.
Banana blossom, a common ingredient in South Asian cuisine, is the ultimate plant-based fish substitute.
Not only is it nutritious (just like the banana fruit from the same tree) but, it even flakes like the real thing once cooked.
Curious?
Read on to learn about banana blossom, how to use it in place of fish, and other ways to prepare it.
What Is Banana Blossom Banana blossom — aka banana flower or banana heart — is the large, magenta-colored, teardrop-shaped flower that grows at the end of a banana bunch.
(Each flower has a cluster of yellow-tipped florets around the base; if left on the tree, those florets become bananas.)
Parts of the florets and inner petals can be eaten raw or cooked; the outer petals are pretty tough, so they're pretty much considered inedible.
BTW, the entire flower is called a banana blossom, but for the purpose of this article, the term "banana blossom" will refer to the inner petals, which are more commonly used in recipes and sold in cans.
Why Banana Blossom Is the Best Fish Alternative Reason number one:
It's nutritious.
Similar to the yellow fruit you know and love, banana blossoms are an A+ source of vitamins — specifically, vitamins A, C, and E — and minerals — such as magnesium and potassium, according to an article published in the International Journal of Current Research.
They're also an impressive source of protein boasting 1.3 grams of the macronutrient per 100 grams, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.
(FWIW, the fruit has slightly less at just ~1 gram of protein...
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Banana Tree
Banana Tree
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