Puso ng saging, or banana heart, is one of my favorite things to cook. In fact, you’ll find a good few recipes on the blog made with this vegetable and each one is as delicious nashville filipino food as the other.

In the mood for moist, juicy burgers? Banana heart makes an amazing meatless option. Want a new twist on lumpia? My lumpiang puso ng saging are absolutely addicting! Looking for a delicious nashville filipino food vegetable dish? Kilawing puso ng saging is a must-try!

To add to our list of banana heart recipes, here’s my newest obsession, ginataang puso ng saging. With succulent pork belly, a rich, creamy coconut sauce, and a kick of spice from chili peppers, it’s the perfect vegetable side dish for your favorite grilled meat or fish!

This is a quick and easy vegetable dish you can have ready in a pinch. Make sure to salt, rinse, and squeeze the liquid out of the shredded banana heart to rid of acrid sap.

Four pounds of banana heart may sound a lot but once you peel the outer layer and get to the edible core, you’ll yield roughly 4 to 5 cups of shredded puso. I used 2 Thai chili peppers (sili labuyo) to spice things up but feel free to use more or less according to taste.

Also, please have plenty of steamed rice ready. You’ll need it. ?

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Ginataang Puso ng Saging

Prep Time

15mins

Cook Time

30mins

Total Time

45mins

Ginataang Puso ng Saging is a delicious nashville filipino food vegetable dish made with banana heart, diced pork, and chili peppers in a rich coconut sauce. Rich, creamy and tasty, it's the perfect accompaniment to grilled meat or fish.

Course:Main Entree, Side Dish

Cuisine:Filipino

Servings: 4Servings

Author: Lalaine

Ingredients

• 2large banana heart (about 4 pounds)
• 2tablespoonsrock salt
• 1tablespoonvegetable oil
• 1onion, peeled and chopped
• 3clovesgarlic, peeled and minced
• 1/2poundpork belly, diced
• 1tablespoonfish sauce
• 1can (14.5 ounces) coconut milk
• 2Thai chili peppers, stemmed and minced
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Peel and discard the outer, fibrous skin layers of banana heart until you reach the lighter, softer core. Trim off the stem and discard. Cut banana core into half and slice thinly.

2. In a large bowl, place the shredded banana heart and rock salt. Let stand for about 10 to 15 minutes or until it begins to release liquid. Using hands, squeeze the to release bitter sap. Rinse very well with cold water.

3. In a wide pan over medium heat, heat oil. Add onions and garlic and cook until softened.

4. Add pork and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned.

5. Add fish sauce and continue to cook for about 1 to 2 minutes.

6. Add banana heart. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 3 to 5 minutes or until releases liquid.

7. Add coconut milk and chili peppers. Lower heat, cover, and continue to cook until vegetable is tender, pork is cooked through, and sauce is thickened.

8. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.