Kilawing Puso ng Saging | Banana Blossom with Shrimp

Kilawing Puso ng Saging also known as Banana Blossom with Shrimp

Marinate no less than 25 minutes
Cooking time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

1 banana blossom, fresh or canned
4 cups (1 liter) water plus 1 tablespoon salt
1 cup (250 ml) Filipino cane vinegar
1/4 lb (125 g) fresh shrimp with heads on, shelled and deveined
1/2 cup (125 ml) water
1 tablespoon oil
5 cloves garlic, crushed
1 onion, finely sliced
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon bottled sautéed shrimp paste
1/2 teaspoon brown sugar

Canned banana blossom needs no soaking. Marinate the fresh or canned blossom in the vinegar for 1 hour. Reserve the vinegar.

Twist and pull the heads off the shrimp. Set the shrimp aside. Mash the shells and heads in a mortar. Pour the 1/ 2 cup (125 ml) of water into the mortar. Discard the shells and head and reserve the liquid.

Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the oil. Add the garlic and sauté until lightly browned. Add the onion and sauté until translucent. Add the shrimp and sauté for 3 minutes. Add the banana blossom, the reserved vinegar and the shrimp liquid, and simmer over medium-low heat for 20 minutes, or until soft and tender. Add the pepper, sautéed shrimp paste, and sugar. Simmer for 5 more minutes. Serve hot with steamed rice.