These poor, pathetic bananas. They’ve seen better, brighter days. They’ve taken a turn for the worst and are headed to the compost bin. Without an intervention they have only one day or maybe two before the flies swoop in and start their business. Their only hope? That they’ll be rescued by a generous and willing heart who will give them a new life in the form of banana bread. Okay . . .if I have too. It really is the ripe thing to do.
Now before I go any further I should disclose that I am not an expert in banana recovery (also known as banana bread). You see these are a rare find in my house – because my kids eat up bananas faster than I can buy them and so they rarely grow to this ripe old age. This means we never get to make banana bread in our house – our should I say we never have an excuse to make banana bread.
So yesterday my son and I did our community service for the day – and took these old, ripe bananas and made banana bread. It had been more than a year since I’ve made banana bread – but it really is a piece of cake, in fact much easier than cake, if you ask me. We used the standard banana bread recipe in the old trusty Better Homes and Garden New Cookbook (Amazon) which my grandma got me for high school graduation.
Talk about a makeover – these bananas look like they’ve been on Oprah. . .
In fact, they were downright, HOT if you ask me:
I have an issue with waiting for bread to cool off properly before I start cutting into it – so it’s falling apart but oh so good. I just wanted to let you all know that I did my “feel good” deed for the day and gave those too-ripe bananas a new life. . . even thought it was short lived.
Please share your favorite banana bread recipes or tips for “repurposing” foods that are headed for the trash or compost bin.
Lauren says
Haha, I just bought bananas today to make banana bread for my neighbor.
Tanya T says
Oh, that looks so yummy. Can you post the recipe here? I’ve never made banana bread before, but I’d like to try your recipe.
Annie says
another idea.. that I just did last night ? – open them – slice them -freeze them – then put them in the blender (frozen – alone) and you get an ice cream like product. (I added about a teas – tablespoon of milk and a dash of vanilla). Add a little chocolate sauce on top – wala – 🙂 (thank you pinterest)
Jessica says
That sounds really good, I think I will be trying that next time I have some bananas to freeze 🙂
Karrie says
Oh my goodness – that looks SO GOOD!! You, Heather dear, are a baker! My banana bread never looks that good. I literally want to reach through the screen and grab one of them slices…YUM!!!
Heather says
Thanks Karrie. I’m really not a baker – my mom bakes for a living, so I grew up around it, but have never been a big baker. Maybe if I had more time I’d do more of it. 🙂 And I wish you lived closer – I’d totally have you over for a piece.
Jessica says
I also take the bananas and put them in the freezer until I am ready to use them. I have made a few different things like banana bread, banana muffins, and even banana and chocolate chip pancakes with my over ripe bananas. The bread and muffins have always come out good since it is easy, but I am still looking for that “perfect” recipe.
Heather says
Jessica – Great ideas! Banana pancakes would probably be a hit with my kids! I too would like a perfect recipe, the one I used was good – but I bet there’s a “perfect” one out there.
Elaine Bell says
You can also just pop the over-ripe bananas in the freezer until you are ready to make banana bread. I just take 3 or 4 out of the freezer and defrost in the microwave and add them in to my batter…you’d never know they were frozen. AND the riper the more flavor your bread has!!
Heather says
Thanks for the tips Elaine! My mom does this – throws the bananas in the freezer. I think it actually helps with the flavor. My bananas could have used maybe one more day before I made bread, but we were anxious! Thanks for commenting – yeah for banana bread!