Banana Hammock

For years an important part of my daily breakfast has been the banana. Easy-to-grab on the go, and filling enough to ease my stomach until the lunch bell. The potassium enriched yellow slice of heaven not only has been around for centuries, but continues to be found throughout cultures and countries all over the world. Potassium found in a banana is very necessary nutrient in a diet for an active person. It helps with preventing cramps and gives an extra little boost of energy. Thinking back to my high school lacrosse tournaments, I can always remember eating bananas and banana power bars, two or three at a time, in between the exhausting games. With three games back-to-back I needed every little bit of help I could get in my belly. Native to the tropics of Southwest Asia, it is said the banana was first domesticated in the country of Papua New Guinea, and are now farmed all throughout tropical destinations.

One unique feature about bananas is the way they grow. Growing in bundles of 20 or more, the fully edible banana can be found in numerous different recipes throughout the world. Most Asian countries serve the banana cooked, or boiled and eat not only the inside but the outside as well. This fascinates me because I, personally, have never tried the skin of a banana and actually look forward to trying it out. I have grown more accustomed to throwing a Chiquita or two into the blender with some strawberries, yogurt, milk, ice, and any other fruits; frozen or fresh. As well, I love banana chips. Through researching for this blog, I have also learned that a banana can be pealed from the stem, or the other end as well.

When cooking bananas generally, the skin is green, as opposed to the already ripened yellow ones. Found in over 107 countries world wide, it seems the banana is a healthy part of many different cultures. From banana bread to banana pancakes, this yellow-shelled bundle of deliciousness has filled stomachs for centuries and it seems, will always be a part of the worlds diet.