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Giving Ripe Bananas a
Second Life
Do your bananas get ripe quicker than you can eat them? Well, worry no more. Usually it’s recommended to leave them sitting out on your kitchen counter, not in direct sunlight. The hotter it is in your kitchen, the quicker bananas ripen.
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| Here are some tips that will give your leftover bananas a whole new life: |
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Ripen 'em: To slow down the natural ripening process, store bananas in the refrigerator. Yes, this will make their skins dark, but it won’t change the edible insides at all (except to make them cold). |
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Shake 'em: Freeze them in 1-inch slices then you'll have them for adding to a milkshake whenever you want! The frozen banana “chips” chill the shake without diluting it like ice does. Make a rich, full-flavored milkshake by mixing the equivalent of 1 or 2 ripe bananas in a blender with milk, other fresh fruit (strawberries, raspberries, etc.) and vanilla ice cream until well combined. |
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Dip 'em: Stick a Popsicle stick or skewer into the end of a peeled ripe banana and freeze it on a cookie sheet. Once frozen, dip the banana in melted chocolate chips, cover, and refreeze on waxed paper. Serve instead of a Popsicle as a fun summertime (or anytime!) treat. |
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Cook 'em: Fresh-sliced or thawed and sliced bananas are great sautéed in a mixture of butter, brown sugar and a splash of rum. Serve over ice cream or angel food cake. |
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More Banana Lover's Recipes:
Frozen Banana Lattes
Grilled PB&M
Banana Cream Pie
Banana Bread Bites
Homemade Smoothies
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| Tips for freezing bananas: |
| Peel bananas and leave whole. Place in plastic bags, seal, and freeze. They’ll last this way for up to a month. (To keep them from sticking together, lay them out on a cookie sheet until frozen; then, when frozen, store in tightly sealed plastic bags.) |
| If you prefer, peel bananas and purée in a food processor until mashed. Freeze in plastic containers or empty whipped butter or margarine containers; it’s perfect for Banana Bread. |
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