What banana recipe is RIPE for you? How to Get the Most Out of Your Bananas From Unripe to Overripe Photo by Annie Klaff Text by Kylie Smith Bananas are one of the most convenient and versatile fruits to have in your kitchen, but their shelf life is less impressive. Typically, the way to tell if your banana is of optimal use is if it's in the ripe stage, however, this is not the only time that a banana can be utilized. There are many ways to make this tropical fruit more appealing (pun intended) and get the most use out of our favorite fruit.
Underripe Bananas The underripe banana has a lime green complexion and is best used like a vegetable. Yes, you heard correctly, like a vegetable. This phase turns the sweet fruit into a savory snack making meals like fried green bananas, banana curry, and even boiled bananas. Of course, there is an abundance of unique recipes to make with your underripe bananas, like green banana fries! Our society is obsessed with deep-fried foods (like the beloved fried oreos at the fair) and bananas are not exempt from this trend. The best part about this recipe is that it only takes three simple ingredients, bananas, oil and salt!
Just RIPE Bananas During this phase, the banana is of optimal use. A ripe banana can be eaten on its own, of course, but there are a bunch of other ways to devour this delicious food. Make a classic banana smoothie (which we think is best when paired with chocolate and peanut 10 | baked
butter, a chunky monkey if you will), grill your bananas, or even make some banana pudding! This banana pudding recipe we found from Chocolate Covered Katie is easy, delicious and can be made vegan! In a pot on low heat, mix and mash two ripe bananas with one cup of milk, maple syrup, vanilla and a pinch of salt. Then, mix half a cup of milk with two tablespoons of cornstarch and combine both mixtures together. Stir until the mix is nice and thick, and enjoy (or put it in the fridge to eat after your banana fries)!
Super Ripe Bananas The super ripe banana, now with a couple more imperfections than before, becomes an even sweeter treat. If dessert is your favorite meal of the day, these bananas are perfect
