Banana Blossom Vegetable Recipe (Sayur Ontong)

 Banana blossom, also known as "ontong" or "jantung pisang" in Indonesian, is a highly nutritious part of the banana plant. It's rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber, making it a great addition to your diet. This recipe will guide you through making a delicious and healthy Sayur Ontong, a traditional Indonesian vegetable dish featuring banana blossom. The dish is typically enjoyed with steamed rice.

Ingredients:

1 medium banana blossom (jantung pisang)

200 ml of coconut milk

1 liter of water

2 bay leaves

2 kaffir lime leaves

1 stalk of lemongrass, bruised

3 cm of galangal, bruised

2 tablespoons of cooking oil

Salt and sugar to taste

Spice Paste:

6 shallots

4 cloves of garlic

4 red chilies (adjust to taste)

2 candlenuts

2 cm of turmeric

1 teaspoon of coriander seeds

1 teaspoon of shrimp paste (optional)

Preparation:

Prepare the Banana Blossom:

a. Remove the outer layers of the banana blossom until you reach the pale, tender layers inside.

b. Slice the banana blossom thinly and soak in salted water for about 15 minutes to remove any bitterness.

c. Rinse thoroughly and set aside.

Prepare the Spice Paste:

In a blender or mortar and pestle, grind the shallots, garlic, red chilies, candlenuts, turmeric, coriander seeds, and shrimp paste into a smooth paste.

Cook the Vegetables:

1. Heat the cooking oil in a large pot over medium heat.

2. Add the spice paste and sauté until fragrant, about 5 minutes.

3. Add the bay leaves, kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, and galangal. Stir to combine.

4. Pour in the water and bring to a boil.

5. Add the young jackfruit (if using), banana blossom, long beans, carrots, and potatoes. Cook until the vegetables are tender, about 20-25 minutes.

Add the Coconut Milk:

- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the coconut milk.

- Simmer gently for another 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.

-Season with salt and sugar to taste.

Serve:

Remove the bay leaves, kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, and galangal before serving.

Serve the Sayur Ontong hot with steamed rice.

Tips:

- To add more depth of flavor, you can include other vegetables like eggplant or tofu.

- If you prefer a spicier dish, you can increase the number of chilies in the spice paste.

- For a vegetarian version, simply omit the shrimp paste.

Sayur Ontong is a flavorful and nutritious dish that showcases the versatility of banana blossom. This traditional Indonesian recipe is relatively easy to prepare and can be adapted to suit your taste preferences. Enjoy the unique taste and health benefits of this delightful vegetable dish with your family and friends!