Saturday, February 23, 2008
YES, WE HAVE NO BANANAS
It was the title of a major hit song in the '30s, listed by the Recording Industry Association of America as among the top 365 songs of the century. Written by Frank Silver and Irving Cohn, some claimed it was a novelty song inspired by the banana shortage.
Now, whether true or not, I'm quite certain my Tia Inez would never belt out this tune like a seasoned vaudevillian, for her repugnance for bananas was quite legendary. Neither would she be impressed, I'm sure, if told that it was Alexander the Great who brought the banana from India to the Western world.
Be that as it may, when I was a kid, Tia Inez would always have me eat a banana with my breakfast and lunch. Perhaps, she knew about its rich potassium content, making it an important food, especially for children coping with malnutrition.
Bananas have many other healing effects but I doubt it if Tia Inez were cognizant of which, or even interested to know why monkeys are so happy all the time. The fact that I ate my banana when told, was probably good enough for her. It made her happy, I think.
posted by Señor Enrique at 12:31 PM
22 Comments:
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said... Bananas are one of my favorite fruits. and the make wonderful photographs!
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gmirage said... I like bananas, from saba to tundal, bulungan and those red ones I forgot what they're called. Even turon, bananacue, saging con yelo and those in nilaga and other dishes with them!
Too bad, there is only one type of banana here that I can buy, I think its like the bulungan, tastes better when green.-
Señor Enrique said...
Same favorites as mine, G. Mirage! I just don't know about bulungan.
I think the best bananacue, turon and kamotecue is in Quiapo, alng Bilibid Viejo Street. The woman who runs it even boils the sticks before they are used to skewer the bananas and kamote. She's quite mindful of running a clean and sanitary street food stall.-
Señor Enrique said...
I quite agree with you, Luke. I couldn't resist taking a photo of this bunch of bananas while walking around Chinatown one afternoon.
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said...
hmm..bananas, yummy! it's rich in potassium that's why it's good for the body. :-)
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said...
Pag tuwing makakakita ka ng puno ay gusto mong maglambitin, you are already on a banana overload LOL. Just kidding!
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Francesca said...
in France it cost 100pesos/kilo that type of bananas and coming from Brazil, pakla and not even sweet!
parang minadali sa pahinog!
michel, the frencman, na pa wow when he saw the photos!
he eats bananas with cereal, everyday...
PENGE daw!
kano na ba kilo dyan sa atin?-
Señor Enrique said...
This is one fruit we always have in the house, Bing. Not only are they delicious, they're also quite affordable.
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Señor Enrique said...
Lol ... that's funny, BertN! My Tia Isabel in Subic had a banana tree in her backyard, but for the life of me, I don't remember ever enjoying any of its fruits. Perhaps, my visits were always of the wrong timing to enjoy its fruits.
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Señor Enrique said...
The lakatan and latandan variety are both about 20-25 pesos a kilo, Francesca.
In New York, the Chiquita brand of bananas are quite plentiful. I think they come from Central America, and they look very much like the bananas in this photograph. I forgot how much they cost, though.-
said...
Make a Banana Bread!
Cream together
1 stick butter
3/4 C brown sugar
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1 teaspoon Vanilla
Add
2 eggs
1 1/2 Cup mashed over-riped Bananas
1/4 cup milk or Sour Cream
Add the dry ingredient mix:
2 Cups flour
1/2 tsp Baking soda
1 tsp Baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
Optional:
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup chocolate chips
bake at 350F for 1 hours on greased bread pans.
Paolo-
said...
The photo is the Cavendish variety!
Paolo-
gmirage said...
Lol@Bernt =D
SenorE, typo: it's bungulan...those are also the chiquitas you mentioned which Francesca is also talking about, they come from Brazil but I like them better when greener, I buy them green and after a day they are in their sweetest...wala ng lasa when yellow. I remember lakatan but I don't remember the taste hehe. Too bad my kids only know that kind of banana...-
Ebb Tide said...
Your banana photo looks familiar. This is the same kind of bananas we get here in the Los Angeles area. Most of our bananas are from Mexico or Costa Rica. I buy our bananas at Costco or Sam's Club. They are affordable for only $1.30 a pound(about 6 pieces.
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Señor Enrique said...
It's the same as those in New York stores, Ebb Tide, with Chiquita label on them. Costa Rica may be where they come from, all right. The local SM supermarkets also sell this variety, which according to Paolo is of Cavendish, but with Dole label on them.
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Señor Enrique said...
Hmmmm ... the Chiquitas in New York are tasty, G. Mirage, unlike the way Francesaca has described.
By the way, they also have those mini variety. Remember them?-
Señor Enrique said...
I used to pig out on banana bread made by an aunt, Paolo. Love 'em! But I have to stay away from them nowadays because they help me gain weight ... hehehe.
So it's Cavendish variety, eh? Thanks for the info :)-
Señor Enrique said...
On second thought, Paolo, I might experiment with your recipe. Thanks!
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said...
Please do make the bread, and publish your creation on this blog.
Irresistable!
Paolo-
Señor Enrique said...
I will, Paolo, but only if a large group of folks are around. This way, I wouldn't have a chance to eat the whole thing by myself; hence, overload on bananas again as BertN has noticed ... hehehe!
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Tina said...
cut the banana cake in a single serve
and put it in the freezer and when you fancy some you have it, that's what i do with my cake so i don't indulge, right eric!-
Señor Enrique said...
Very good idea, Tina. I shall keep that in mind. Thanks!
