Bondi Sukke

One of the traditional dishes of Konkanis is the Bondi ( Banana Flower) sukke ! Nowadays many don’t do this citing lack of time and even because they do not know how to proceed with this ! Here is a step by step procedure to make it ! A little pre planning to prepare the flower earlier will help you to make this dish quickly !

Ingredients

Bondi / banana Flower – 1 (try to get as fresh as you can )
Grated coconut – 1 cup and a little more if preferred
Tur dal – 2 tbsps
Tamarind – a gooseberry size
Red chilies – 6-7 as per taste
Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp
Salt to taste
Mustard seeds & oil for seasoning

Method

Remove the outer covers of the bondi till you come to the yellow part as seen in the picture below . Side by side keep collecting the flowers
Now from each flower , Remove the thick pistil as shown ..
Remember to remove this as otherwise this part remains uncooked and will be a irritant while eating . the removed pistils are in the pic below . this job can be done while you are chatting or while watching Television
Now chop finely the bondi & the flowers
Keep dropping the chopped pieces in water so that they do not discolour
Drain the water after rinsing well
Heat a kadai & add about 2 tbsps of oil . Splutter mustard seeds & add washed tur dal . Add a little water, turmeric powder & salt to taste & let cook
Cover and cook till it is half done .
Meanwhile the dal is cooking . grind coarsely the coconut , red chilles & tamarind
When the dal is half cooked , add the chopped bondi & the coconut paste
Mix well .Cover and cook on medium fire .
Adjust for salt Add a litlle more oil at this stage & let it roast on slow fire .
Bondi Sukke is ready to be relished with rice and dalithoy !DO try this out so that you don’t miss out on a very healthy , nutrients enriched & very very tasty side dish