Bananas
Go bananas with this fantastic ingredient that's perfect for decadent desserts as well as summery savoury dishes – very appealing!
Guy Bailey
Bananas are native to tropical South and South-East Asia and are grown in 107 countries world wide. In Australia, 90 per cent of bananas are grown in tropical North Queensland, with other plantations located in northern New South Wales and Darwin.
Buying and storing
A ripe banana has a wonderful, rich flavour that is hard to beat. Bananas ripen after picking, so if you want to
eat your bananas immediately, then choose fruit with bright yellow skins and a few brown marks. Store ripe bananas in the fruit bowl, away from direct sunlight. If you buy bananas that are a little green, store them at room temperature in a brown paper bag with a ripe apple and they will soon sweeten.
Nutrition
Bananas are an excellent source of vitamin B6, and contain vitamin C, dietary fibre, potassium, magnesium and some iron. They also have a low-moderate glycemic index (GI) for longer-lasting energy.
Uses
With their unique flavour and high nutritional value, bananas are a fantastic ingredient to have on hand in the kitchen. Of course they are famous for delicious desserts that are easily whipped up, such as banoffee pies, banana splits and banana breads, and the all-time classic smoothie.
Source
Super Food Ideas — November 2013 , Page 12
Author
Cathie Lonnie
