Kadali Bhanda Bara (Odia: କଦଳୀ ଭଣ୍ଡା ବରା) is a cherished traditional dish from Odisha that beautifully captures the essence of rustic, home-cooked coastal cuisine. Made from the humble banana blossom (kadali bhanda or plantain flower), these crispy fritters transform a mildly bitter, fibrous ingredient into golden, addictive bites that pair perfectly with evening tea or as a side in a traditional Odia meal.
This dish highlights Odisha's love for seasonal, backyard produce— no fancy imports needed. Banana trees grow abundantly in the state, and the flower (the large purple-red bud before the bananas form) is harvested young for cooking. The slight bitterness is tamed through cleaning, soaking, and spicing, resulting in a flavor that's earthy, subtly sweet, and deeply satisfying.
This blog is written by Sangram Keshari Senapati and the photo is taken from Swagatika Nayak's post.
