Baked Banana Blossom Fritters / Baked Vazhaipoo Vadais | Indian Appetizers

I believe many of you would be like me when it comes to deep fried foods. Would love deep fried foods but reluctant to fry even occasionally due to the fat content and calories in it. I had always been finding ways to replace deep frying whenever possible. I used to oven roast potatoes, cauliflower, bitter gourd and even bell peppers. This time I wanted to bake the all-time favorite vadas but didn't want to compromise on the taste though. I was actually keeping my fingers crossed until the vadas were ready and I tasted one. I was really happy that the taste was exactly the same and even more happier when my DH gave a thumbs up. It was a super-crispy, tasty yet low calorie indulgence. I made this vadas little bite sized to enable faster cooking in the oven.

Ingredients:
Vazhaipoo / Banana blossom - 1 - Cleaned
Chana dhal - 1 small cup - Soaked for 2 hrs
Onion - finely chopped - 1 cup
Garlic - 5 - chopped fine
Cilantro/Coriander leaves - about 7 or 8 twigs
Fennel seeds - 1/2 tsp
Garam masala powder - 1/2 tsp
Ginger - 1/2" piece
Red chillies - 3
Turmeric powder - a pinch
Salt - to taste 
Oil - 1-1/2 tbsp

Method:
Preheat the oven to 400 F/200 C. Line a baking sheet with aluminium foil and spray with oil. Steam the cleaned banana blossom until soft. You could cook it in a microwave with a little water for 5 to 7 mins. Let cool. Place the soaked chana dhal in a blender/mixie with red chillies, fennel seeds, garam masala, ginger, turmeric powder and salt. Grind to a coarse mixture. Do not add water yet. Add the cooled banana blossom along with water used to steam in the blender and pulse until everything is combined. Transfer the mixture to a big mixing bowl and add the onion, garlic, chopped cilantro and oil. Mix well. Take a tablespoon or two size mixture and make balls. Place over the foil and flatten it. Place all the balls with 1 inch gap between them. Bake in oven for 30 to 40 mins, flipping once in between.

Sending these lovely and healthy baked banana blossom fritters to the following events

Healing Foods - Banana event by Siri, happening here at my blog this month
Herbs & Flowers - Banana Blossom event by PJ, guest hosted by Saffron streaks
Food Palette Series - Purple event by Akheela
Let's Cook - School Break time snacks event by Radhika
MLLA - #36 - event by Susan happening at Served with Love
Kid's Delight - Mini bites event by Srivalli, guest hosted by Champa 
   
   

Sending this to ABC series - B for Banana event by Ramya.