Opinion – Terra Vegana: Two recipes for not throwing bananas in the trash

Whoever has never thrown a banana away throws the first peel. On hot days, the black spots appear at the touch of a button and the banana that was once yellow appears in the fruit bowl as if to say: “Eat me, please”.

Black dots on the peel are a good sign, the fruit is ripe. If the dots come together and form spots, you need to act urgently and find the best way from the banana to the stomach before it’s too late. Eating the fruit raw may not be the best option, due to the compromised texture and flavor. How about turning the banana into a donut or a kind of ice cream?

Ice cream is ideal, not only to cool down but for those moments when we can’t answer the cry of the bunch of bananas that are overdue. Just peel, cut the fruit into slices, freeze and then blend in the food processor until it turns into a cream — not cream, ice cream!

Although this is a one-ingredient “recipe”, we can add other frozen fruits and prepare delicious variations with strawberries, mangoes, papayas, grapes, kiwis. Toppings such as cane molasses, crushed peanuts or cashew nuts (xerém), granola and dried fruits are also welcome. Children love it. And the adults too!

Have you tried the ice cream and want something different to bring bananas to life? Then try kneading them, adding grated coconut and baking them in the shape of donuts. With the banana very ripe, it is not necessary to sweeten it, which is, once again, perfect to offer to children.

When we make it at home we also add a thread of 70% chocolate on top, it’s irresistible. The recipe has no secret and can be made intuitively. I leave mine here, so that no one fails to prepare it due to lack of a recipe.

COCONUT AND BANANA DONUTS

Ingredients

2 very ripe bananas

5 tablespoons grated coconut

Optional: 50 g of 70% chocolate, for the topping

Preparation

1. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees and line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or parchment paper.

2. Peel, slice and mash the bananas until you get a puree. Add the grated coconut and mix well.

3. Distribute 8 spoonfuls of the dough in the roast. Flatten and round each portion with the back of the spoon to form a flat wafer. With the help of a wooden spoon handle, make circular movements in the center of each cookie until a hole is formed.

4. Bake at 180 degrees for 35 minutes or until the donuts are golden brown.

5. Optional topping: cut the chocolate into small pieces and melt in a water bath. Scratch each donut with the melted chocolate and it’s ready!

Tips

1. Because it does not contain sugar or preservatives, the donuts must be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within five days.

2. These donuts are a great option for the kids’ lunch box.