Title: Banana Basics
Categories: Dessert Fruit
Yield: 1 Servings

SELECTING,STORING,PREPARING
		Musaceae ensete
		Musaceae musa

SEASON: All year.

LOOK FOR: Solid yellow bananas specked with some brown flecks if bananas are to be used immediately. Fruit with some green will ripen at home in a few days at room temperature. Brown skins usually indicate over ripened fruit. Red bananas are a specialty in some areas.

TO STORE: Refrigerate bananas after ripening and use them within 2 to 3 days. The skin will darken, but the fruit inside will be ripe and fresh. For longer storage, mash the fruit with a little lemon juice; pack it into freezer containers, leaving 1/2 inch head space, and freeze. To use, thaw the fruit in the refrigerator and use it in recipes for cakes, cookies, and breads.

TO PREPARE: Peel and slice or cut up bananas, depending on the use. To prevent browning if peeled or sliced bananas are not to be eaten immediately, sprinkle them with a little lemon juice.

Source: The New Good Housekeeping Cookbook ISBN: 0-688-03897-2 Typos by Dorothy Flatman 1995

previous

next