Pumpkin Flower fritters / Rongalau phulor bor

Pumpkin ( Assamese- rongalau) is a versatile vegetable as most part of a pumpkin plant is edible including its fruits, seeds, leaves, stems and even it's flowers. Pumpkin plant is a vine that has both male and female flowers. Male flowers are borne straight off the vine while female flowers have a small fruit swelling at the base near the stem.

Pumpkin flowers are edible and we can make tasty fritters which can be served as starter or as a side dish with steamed rice.
Beside good taste pumpkin flowers are good sources of vitamins, minerals and nutrients.

Pumpkin Flower fritters

INGREDIENTS :

•  Pumpkin flowers (10)
•  Oil to fry

For batter :

• 1 cup chickpea flour (besan)
• 2-3 tbsp rice powder
• 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp cumin powder
• 1/2 tsp coriander powder
• 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
• 1/2 tsp nigella seeds (Kala jeera)
• salt to taste

METHOD :

1. Wash pumpkin flowers under running water. Cut the stems of the flowers and carefully take the stamen out.
2. In a bowl add chickpea flour, rice powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, red chilli, salt and water. Mix it well to make a fine batter.
3. In a heavy bottomed pan heat oil. Dip pumpkin flowers into the batter and place them in oil. Cook it in medium  heat until the bottom edges start to turn golden brown. Turn it over and cook until the other side turns golden brown.
4. Serve pumpkin flower fritters hot.