Freezing bananas.

pavlovs_dog

im sure there is already a thread explaining this in layman's terms, but the search function hates me.

when freezing bananas, do you simply peel, wrap in cling film and freeze, or peel, and freeze?

or is there something to be done in the middle to stop them going bad whilst freezing? (i have some which are too far gone and are now only good for banana loaf cake, and one or two which i probably wont eat before they reach the same stage - these are the ones i want to freeze).

also, on the topic of fruit, im making it my lent challenge to make sure i get my five a day. anyone have any funky fruit ideas they would like to share to help me towards my aim? the government website for health was actually surprisingly useful, so i've got a nice colourful chart on my wall now to show me what counts a a portion for different types of fruit. its just a case of trying to come up with ways of keeping it interesting.

the difference it has made to my skin already is amazing - im going through that spotty getting rid of all the toxins phase, so granted, i dont look my best :rolleyes: :rotfl: but i feel so much better in myself.

anyway, im starting to sound a bit like a mad woman now, so i think i'll zip it and let you guys take the floor

thriftlady_2

Hi Pavlov's Dog,belated happy St David's Day

Once a banana is frozen the only things it is fit for are smoothies/milkshakes or banana bread.It will go completely mushy.What I do with any banana that is not going to be eaten by the kids(they like them slightly under-ripe)is just bung them in a plastic bag whole and unpeeled.The skin will go completely black,but the fruit will not go bad,just mushy.When I want to bake with them I defrost them in the microwave for about a minute(I ususally do several at a time so 1 on its own might need less time).Then I take off the peel and mash the resulting soggy banana.HTH

comping_cat

I read on a thread here, that you peel the banana, wrap in clingfilm and freeze, then you eat it like an ice cream!!!! I have some in the freezer now, so DS and DD can try them after dinner tonight!!!!

pavlovs_dog

catowen wrote:

I read on a thread here, that you peel the banana, wrap in clingfilm and freeze, then you eat it like an ice cream!!!! I have some in the freezer now, so DS and DD can try them after dinner tonight!!!!

this is what i was hoping for.

its really popular in the states, the are sold as ice lollies - dipped in melted choc and the rolled in chopped nuts/100s and 1000s etc.

yummy!

thriftlady_2

Wow,I've never tried this.My kids would love them,you could halve them and put lolly sticks in,then dip in choc and freeze.Or,here's a thought you could dip them in yogurt and freeze - not sure if I haven't read that idea somewhere on here actually :think:

pavlovs_dog

thriftlady wrote:

Wow,I've never tried this.My kids would love them,you could halve them and put lolly sticks in,then dip in choc and freeze.Or,here's a thought you could dip them in yogurt and freeze - not sure if I haven't read that idea somewhere on here actually :think:

ooh thrift lady, you sure know the way to a girl's heart


in the states, they dont halve them. they just use medium sized bananas, shove a lolly stick/skewer up the middle and voila.

LittleWelshRareBit

Or just split open the skin down the length of the banana, fill with chunks of dairy milk, wrap in foil and cook in the oven. Yu-um.

Except that I have given up chocolate for Lent.

UKJubilee_2

regarding the eating 5 a day there are loads of tricks...I take sandwiches to work everyday and put lettuce and cucumber in them (used to do tomatoes too but they have a habit of sliding out and getting messy!)

Smoothies are good too...I know the website says these should only count as 1 per day but I make my own and it's the same as eating them...use a banana, apple and orange as the base mixed with fruit juice or low fat yoghurt (add a bit of water if too thick) then add a fruit of your choice...pineapple and mango work well!

Another good one is if you use baked beans in meals lots, use slightly less and mix in a veg instead...I like broccoli mixed in mine but leeks also go well.

Stir fry's are great ways too...make them with veg, meat and a sauce flavour or those chinese spice cubes from the supermarket and they taste great (and don't take long to make!)...have to admit if I have missed the target for a few days then Shepherdess Pie from the You Are What You Eat cookbook is great for clearing the system up really well!

Good luck with it!

HOLsale

catowen wrote:

I read on a thread here, that you peel the banana, wrap in clingfilm and freeze, then you eat it like an ice cream!!!! I have some in the freezer now, so DS and DD can try them after dinner tonight!!!!

it's absolutely gorgeous like that!

i also make yogurt ice lollies and add in mashed banana vs sugar it makes them really creamy and super sweet and full of goodness too :T

HOLsale

thriftlady wrote:

Wow,I've never tried this.My kids would love them,you could halve them and put lolly sticks in,then dip in choc and freeze.Or,here's a thought you could dip them in yogurt and freeze - not sure if I haven't read that idea somewhere on here actually :think:

i've actually got a tray thing from lakeland for this purpose it was originally for strawberries but it's long enough for bananas. i stick the skewer through a banana and lay it in the tray when i've done them all i put the top on and freeze a few hours later i have a very tasty treat, every bit as nice as vanilla ice cream

HOLsale

thriftlady wrote:

.Or,here's a thought you could dip them in yogurt and freeze - not sure if I haven't read that idea somewhere on here actually :think:

sneaky treats... yougurt ice lollies with mashed bananas