Bondi Chutney (Banana Blossom Chutney)

Bondi Chutney is a very tasty chutney. In konkani, Bondi means Banana blossom.I found the recipe for this chutney in a cook book and made slight variations. It turned out very tasty. The recipe of this chutney is almost similar to ridge gourd peel chutney, which I posted long back.
Banana blossom is my favorite and the stir fry prepared from it tastes awesome! When I went to India this time, a banana blossom was waiting for me in a banana plant, which was planted by me few years ago. I was so happy to see it. Even my plant knew that I loved Banana blossom. Here is the picture of it-

Try making this chutney and I am sure you will love it.

Ingredients :

• Banana blossom/Bondi - one
• Grated Coconut (fresh/frozen)- 3/4 cup
• Roasted Red Chillies-3-4
• Tamarind-a small ball (goose berry sized)
• Cumin/Jeera- 1 tsp
• Mustard seeds- 1/2 tsp
• Curry leaves- few
• Asafoetida- ¼ tsp
• Oil- 2 Tbsp
• Salt- To taste  

Procedure:

Wash the banana blossom and remove the outermost hard layers. Then chop it finely and put it in a bowl containing water. 

Drain the water completely and then sprinkle little salt over it and let it rest for 15-20 minutes. 

Now heat oil in a kadai and then add mustard seeds. Once it starts spluttering, add cumin seeds, curry leaves, asafoetida and fry for few seconds. Then add grated coconut and fry for few minutes. Now add the finely chopped banana blossom and mix well (squeeze it well before adding to remove the bitterness). Continue frying for 2-3 minutes and then add little salt and water (1 cup). Close it with a lid and allow it to cook (add more water if required). Once everything looks cooked turn off the heat and allow it to cool.

Once it is cooled completely, grind it along with fried red chilli and tamarind without adding any water (don't make it very fine). Transfer it a bowl. Bondi Chutney is ready!!

Serve it with dosa, rice, idli etc. Above measurement serves 4-5 people.