There are so many beautiful flowers that we find in nature. Most of these flowers are used for gifting and decoration purposes. But other than being a thing of beauty, these flowers are also very nutritious and flavourful. Pumpkin flower is one such flower that is edible and has a very orange and yellowish colour. This flower is used in an array of dishes in West Bengal as well as Kerala. A lot of popular delicacies in these two states are made from pumpkin flowers. In Bengali cuisine, people like to make fritters with these pumpkin flowers.
Health Benefits Of Pumpkin Flowers
Pumpkin flowers have a lot of health benefits. They help support cell production in the body and also you benefit a lot from the high content of folates. These flowers are also effective in reducing the risk of hypertension in the body. These flowers also help in minimising the risk of heart disease and increase the content of magnesium in your body. Because of its beautiful and subtle fragrance, it is also used in a lot of soups. It is very gentle on the skin and provides light exfoliation. Other than consuming this in the form of dishes, you can also eat this as it is.
Let's take you through some of the most popular dishes that are prepared with pumpkin flowers around the world.
* Kumro Phooler Bora
Kumro Phooler means pumpkin flower in Bengali. This is a Bengali dish which translates to pumpkin flower fritters. It is a very popular dish in West Bengal and one of the most common snacks. It is very crispy and yummy and served with delicious chutney and tomato sauce. Like other pakodas this is also made by dipping pumpkin flour in a mixture made with chickpea flour, water and spices. This is a yummy and very crispy dish that can be enjoyed in the evening with some tea.
* Baked Stuffed Pumpkin Flower
This is a very famous delicacy that has American origins and is also known as the classic stuffed peppers. Pumpkin flower has a very subtle flavour of its own and tastes delicious if it's mixed with some stuffing. The flower is stuffed with some beaten eggs and bread crumbs. It is then dipped completely in a mixture of eggs and bread crumbs and then baked for 10 minutes until it turns properly crispy. You can also choose to take any other stuffing for your baked stuffed pumpkin flowers.
* Pumpkin Flower Quesadillas
Pumpkin flowers are abundantly available in Mexico. Quesadillas are a popular snack in Mexico and are made with a variety of condiments. Pumpkin flower quesadillas are a very popular snack that is made in Mexico. It is a beautiful and delicate snack that has mild and creamy flavours. It is mixed with a lot of other herbs and flavourful spices that will surely tantalise your taste buds. This is a lip-smacking snack that you can surely make for your party and special occasions.
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* Crunchy Fried Pumpkin Flower
This is a very popular snack that is mostly eaten in Ireland and has a very fritter-like texture and taste. This is made by smearing pumpkin flowers in a mixture of flour, beer, butter and olive oil. It is then deep-fried in some vegetable oil. You are left with crunchy and delightful pumpkin flowers that can be enjoyed with a glass of your favourite drink. The whole process makes your flower extremely delicious and crunchy. Remember that you have to remove the stigma of these flowers before frying them.
* Mathapoo Thoran
This is a stir fry that is very popular in Kerala and is made from pumpkin flowers that are very popular in that area. Generally most of the houses in Kerala, especially the traditional households have pumpkin flowers at home. These flowers are freshly plucked from the garden to make this dish. These flowers are cooked in the form of a dry vegetable that is served with some hot rice. A lot of other ingredients like mustard seeds, grated coconut, turmeric powder, curry leaves, red chillies, and cumin seeds are used to make this dish delicious. It is a classic dish from the state of Kerala and you can enjoy this during lunch or dinner.