Saturday, February 5, 2011

Go, Bananas,Go!


Here's a simple tip to help your bananas last longer. When you pick a bunch at the store, immediately bag them in the clear fruit/vegetable bags that the store provides and tie them up. Being in the bag will keep brown spots at bay.

I read this tip in Family Feasts for $75 a Week by Mary Ostyn, and it really works! Last time I bought bananas, they were just about ripe. I put them in the bag, and they lasted for seven days before brown spots appeared. Once brown spots appear, the bananas are usually still fine on the inside. Sometimes, brownish bananas will be marked down at the store, and I have always found them to be great--despite the appearance of their skin.

If bananas reach a point of being too ripe for your preference, and you don't want to make banana bread, simply peel the skin, plastic wrap the banana and pop it in the freezer. You can grab your frozen bananas if you want to make bread later (just let them thaw in a bowl first). Or...our favorite use for frozen bananas--smoothies! The riper they are, the sweeter they taste--making them perfect for smoothies.
(I also cut the top part off my children's half-eaten bananas and freeze them too).

By bagging your bananas, you'll keep them fresher longer. Go, bananas, go!



3 comments:

  1. Bananas last for 7 days....never in my house. But not because of brown spots but because of hungry children!!

    If for some reason we do have leftovers, I freeze mine with skins on. Saves plastic wrap. Then when you are ready for banana bread, plop them in a bowl to thaw, cut the top off and squeeze insides out. Easy and quick and no mess! :)

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  2. Great tip - thanks for sharing!

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  3. Bananas don't last long here either and many make it to smoothies!

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