I try to buy green banana's as they ripen so fast. I have several loaves of banana bread in freezer. There has got to be something else I can do with over ripe banana's. any Ideas.

-- Irene texas (tkorsborn@cs.com), May 03, 2002

Answers

make some jello and slice the bananas in it. also some nuts if u have them. eat the same day u make it. banana nut jello. yummy. wish I had some right now.

-- dot (cisco@speedfactory.net), May 03, 2002.

well if the banana's aren't real ripe. if they r really over ripe it probably wouldn't be good.

-- dot (cisco@speedfactory.net), May 03, 2002.

You can put them in the freezer and use them when you run out of banana bread. You can make muffins with them. all differant kinds. They are great lunch snacks.

-- shepherdess (amulet@istar.ca), May 03, 2002.

When they get ripe, stick in the freezer. Then make them into smoothies. We add frozen banana, strawberries or any kind of jam, yogurt and milk. Whirl together in the blender. Yummy drink ;-)

-- Peace and Carrots Farm, Vermont (wsm311@aol.com), May 03, 2002.

Irene, quit buying so many bananas! Just teasing!

-- Ardie/WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), May 03, 2002.

The bananas in the freezer really works! They will turn absolutely black and you will swear there is no way they could be good - but they are just fine. Just smoosh them up for any recipe calling for mashed bananas like banana bread, etc.

-- Karen (mountains_mama@hotmail.com), May 03, 2002.

How about banana cookies? Or bars with philly cream cheese frosting? Is it just me or are those bananas turning a whole lot faster than they used to? I had to make two loaves of bread this week to use up four that went bad on me really quickly. Gave one to my Mom who lives by herself and rarely makes such things. Good luck!!

-- Sher (riverdobbers@webtv.net), May 03, 2002.

My favorites-banana nut waffles and pancakes. My kids love them and you can make ahead and freeze for later.

-- Terri in WV (mrs_swift_26547@yahoo.com), May 03, 2002.

Banana jam!!

-- Gina NM (mamainnm@yahoo.com), May 03, 2002.

how do you make banana jam?Thats a new one, I didn't know you could freeze banana's, now I will do that.thanks guys,

-- Irene texas (tkorsborn@cs.com), May 03, 2002.

slice and dry. they are sweet and chewy. delish !!

-- carol (kanogisdi@yahoo.com), May 03, 2002.

HI, Irene, this is how I make Banana Jam, and I add some different things sometimes, depending on what I have on hand.

Take 2 cups sugar and mix with 1/2 cup lemon juice and 1 tbsp grated lemon rind until sugar is dissolved. Marinate 6 medium ripe bananas, sliced, in this mixture for at least one hour, making sure all slices have been coated. Bring mixture to boil slowly, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat, and simmer for about 30 minutes, or until jam is thick enough to hold shape in a spoon. Stir frequently as it thickens to prevent burning. Spoon in sterilized jars and seal, or 10 minute boiling water bath. Sometimes I add a few chopped maraschino cherries, use pineapple or orange juice in place of or with lemon juice, as long as measures 1/2 cup. Sometimes I add cranberries, or pineapple, and sometimes I use pectin, following directions on package for amount of sugar. We love it on pancakes, or on freshly baked bread with peanut butter. I usually buy a bagful (about 7 lbs worth) for $1 about once a week. Most of the bananas in the bag are truly not overripe, but the store thinks they are, and I get a good deal!!

-- Gina NM (mamainnm@yahoo.com), May 03, 2002.

Dry them, Slice short or long, plain or dipped in pineapple juice or honey water.

-- Cindy (S.E.IN) (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), May 04, 2002.

I dehydrate them and cover with melted chocolate. Makes it sort of like a candy bar.

-- Jay Blair in N. AL (jayblair678@yahoo.com), May 05, 2002.

How do you make your banana pancakes or waffles? I've found that putting the bananas in the refrigerator will slow their ripening process a day or two.

-- kat (rip1602@hpnc.com), May 05, 2002.

LOL!! Never have that problum here!! Usally never !!! Try makin bananna pudding!!HMMMMMMMMM!!!

-- Grizz Wondering the outskirts of DC!! (southerneagle@yahoo.com), May 07, 2002.

Just before they get mushy, you could either peel, dip in melted chocolate and roll in chopped nuts before putting in the freezer, or cut into chunks and do the same thing.

Also, in one of the early Moosewood Cookbooks (by Mollie Katzen, with the drawings), there was a recipe for Banana Sour Cream Pie. You can probably find it on the web somewhere too. You probably could even do a version of the Sara Lee cheesecake (no egg, just cream cheese and cream with the sugar and add some banana to that) and then put your pie filling of choice on top.

And then there is always bananas foster, where you cook slices in a bit of sugar and butter with a tad bit of rum, I think.

We used to place them sideways on foil, peel one strip and leave the rest of the peel on, dot with butter, some sugar or brown sugar (too ripe, you wouldn't need any) and some cinnamon, wrap the package, and put them over the coals for a while. Yum!

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), May 07, 2002.

One way to keep your bananas from ripening so fast is to put them on a 'banana tree' If you hang the bunch, they stay longer than in a bag or the counter. It's a simple stand with a hook on the end that you just hang your bananas from. Works great for us.

Don't know if it interests you, but whenever I have an over abundance of fruit, or fruit ready to go bad in a hurry, I make cordials. Banana would make a great tropical cordial!!

-- Wendy A (phillips-anteswe@pendleton.usmc.mil), May 07, 2002.

Also keep them away from apples--some gas the apples put out make the bananas ripen faster.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), May 07, 2002.

I PUT MINE IN THE REFRIDGERATOR, PEEL TURNS BLACK BUT THE BANANA IS NICE AND FIRM AND DOES NOT TURN BROWN---WORKS FOR ME!

-- DIANE BURCH (soapop2@aol.com), July 29, 2004.