Bulaklak ng saging (banana blossoms)

October 5, 2004
Filed under Asian Pantry

bulaklak ng saging

Along with a sprig of oregano, bulaklak ng saging (banana blossoms) is one of the most important ingredients in cooking paksiw na pata ng baboy (pork knuckle stew). Bulaklak ng saging gives the dish a distinct aroma and flavor. But, how many of us know what it really is?

In an article published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Dorothy MJ Ferreira of Dorothy’s Cooking School in Quezon City, refers to bulaklak ng saging as banana blossoms. However, in many recipes from different websites, local and foreign, it appears that banana blossoms refer to what is locally known as puso ng saging, a vegetable often cooked with gata (coconut milk) and which is an ingredient of kare-kare.

As far as I know, bulaklak ng saging are dried lily buds. They do not come from the banana plant.