Banana blossoms make a vegan fish substitute

I’m not vegan, but I understand the struggle that comes with finding plantbased proteins that actually taste like meat or fish.

Upton’s Naturals, a Chicago-based natural foods company, in 2005 pioneered flavored, wheat- based seitan and 10 years later launched the first-to-market seasoned and ready-to-eat jackfruit in the U.S. Last year, it introduced Banana Blossom, a whole-food meat alternative that mimics the texture and flavor of fish.

For the uninitiated, banana blossom is the tearshaped flower that grows at the end of a banana cluster. While largely unknown in American kitchens, it is a staple in Southeast Asian soups, salads, stir-fries, curries and other dishes.

Upton’s version comes vacuum-packed in brine, quartered in easy- to- fry pieces. According to a release, it can be battered and fried for “a 100% vegan take on the classic comfort food, fish and chips, and is also an awesome addition to tacos, paella, soups and stirfry.”

Each 7-ounce box of blossom (enough for two servings) contains just 40 calories and is rich in potassium, fiber, minerals and vitamins A, C and E. The tightly packed petals also are gluten and soy free, USDA organic and kosher, and the package itself is shelf-stable.

Unfortunately, the fleshy, purplish- brown flowers are pretty unappetizing when you take them out of the pouch. They look a little like giant creepy crawlies or a multi-legged sea urchin. They look much better once they’re patted dry with a paper towel, dipped in a seasoned batter and pan-fried.

But how do they taste? As Upton’s promises, they really do taste vaguely like fish. Not a light and flaky cod, which I prefer, but a darker, oilier fish. If you don’t mind “fishy,” they’d make a great vegan filling for a faux baja fish taco with lots of lime and slaw, or a fish and chips platter with plenty of ketchup or tartar sauce for dipping.

I cooked them according to the package directions — fried in oil, in a seasoned batter. The texture was similar to that of artichoke hearts or bamboo shoots — firm and slightly chewy — and while they looked nothing like the picture on the box, I could see why a vegan would like them. Tucked into a taco shell, they’re a Banana Blossom ($3.99) is pretty rea-sonable facsimile sold at Whole Foods Market, for fish. plus online at Amazon

Upton’s Naturals’and Vegan Essentials.

Gretchen McKay/Post-Gazette Banana blossoms, the large purple-skinned flowers that grow at the end of a bunch of bananas, is a vegan alternative to fish.