Crispy Pumpkin Flower Fritters (Kakharu Phula Bhaja)
50 minutes
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About Crispy Pumpkin Flower Fritters (Kakharu Phula Bhaja)
Experience the irresistible crunch of Crispy Pumpkin Flower Fritters, a beloved snack known as Kakharu Phula Bhaja (Odia) and Kumro Phool Bora (Bengali). Imagine delicate pumpkin blossoms transformed into golden-brown, subtly spiced delights, a true taste of East India.These fritters boast a simple yet flavorful rice flour batter infused with chilies, garlic, and aromatic spices. Enjoy them as a standalone treat or pair them with rice and dal for a truly authentic culinary experience.This easy-to-follow recipe guides you through each step, ensuring you can savor the unique flavors of Odisha and West Bengal in your own kitchen. Discover the joy of preparing these delicious and sustainable fritters at home!
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Recipe Time & More
Prep35 minutes
Cook15 minutes
Total50 minutes
Ingredients
For the Fritters
For the Batter
- 4 Tbsp Rice Flour
- 1 Chili dried, red
- 2 clove Garlic
- 2 Chilies green
- 1/2 tsp Cumin Seeds
- 1/8 tsp Turmeric Powder
- 1 1/2 tsp Salt or to taste
- Water as needed
For Serving (Optional)
- 1/4 tsp Chaat Masala
- Mustard Oil for shallow frying
Instructions
- Prepare the pumpkin flowers by gently removing the lower part/sepal, including the stalk, bottom, and stigma. Leave the delicate petals intact.
- Rinse the pumpkin flowers individually under cool running water. Gently pat them dry with a paper towel and set aside.
- In a blender, combine the rice flour, dried red chili, garlic, green chilies, cumin seeds, turmeric powder, and salt. Add water gradually while blending until a smooth batter is formed. The batter should be neither too thick nor too runny.
- Heat mustard oil in a non-stick pan or tawa over medium heat. Dip each pumpkin flower into the batter, allowing any excess batter to drip off. Place the battered flowers gently into the hot oil.
- Fry the fritters for about 2 minutes per side, or until they turn golden brown and crispy. Drizzle a little more oil around the fritters as needed while frying to ensure even cooking. Flipping them ensures both sides are cooked to a perfect crisp.
- Once cooked, remove the fritters from the pan and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil. Serve the hot fritters immediately with rice and dal, or sprinkle with chaat masala for an extra burst of flavor.
Recipe Notes
Good To Know
- If the batter is too thick, the flower's flavor will be masked. If it's too thin, the coating won't adhere. Aim for a batter that's neither thick nor runny.
- Frying in mustard oil enhances the flavor.
- Don't discard the chopped lower parts of the flower. Add them to leftover batter to make a savory pancake.
- These fritters are best enjoyed hot.
- Before battering, gently clean the pumpkin flowers, removing stamens and insects while keeping the petals intact.
- For extra crispy fritters, add a tablespoon of fine semolina (sooji) or cornflour to the batter.
- For a gluten-free version, use only rice flour or ground soaked rice in the batter.
- Serve immediately with chaat masala, a coriander-mint chutney, or a squeeze of lime.
Expert Tips
- For a richer flavor, infuse the batter with spices like cumin, coriander, or chili powder.
- When frying, ensure the oil is hot enough to prevent the fritters from absorbing too much oil and becoming soggy.
- Don't overcrowd the pan while frying; work in batches to maintain the oil temperature and ensure even cooking.
Storage Instructions
- These fritters are best enjoyed fresh. If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for a few hours. Reheat in a dry pan or oven before serving.
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Recipe Nutrition
Calories: 130kcalCarbohydrates: 4gFat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3.9gMonounsaturated Fat: 7.8gSodium: 855mg
Sasmita
Articles: 38
6 Comments
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This looks incredible! Thank you.
This looks so good! Can’t wait to cook it.
Such a flavorful dish! Can’t wait to taste it.
What a great recipe! Thanks for sharing.
Lovely pic of the Flower. Thanks for the information in the description. You always give a very nice description which adds lot of value to the recipe.
Looks so delectable! Thanks for posting.