BANANAS - NATURE’S WONDER FRUIT

The banana industry in Australia is well over 100 years old with Chinese using wild bananas found around Cardwell and Innisfail to commence the first commercial plantings in 1883.  By 1890 the Cairn’s district was producing 15 million bunches annually, but strangely enough the industry had vanished by the early 1900s.  Northern NSW and SouthEast Queensland dominated production until the 1970s

In the 1920s the bunchy top virus, via infected plants from Fiji, nearly wiped out the industry.  The virus is still present but it is kept under control through quarantine rules and large quantities of bananas are today also grown in WA and around Darwin. 

Banana plants are in fact a herb from the Musa genus and the two main varieties are the Cavendish and the Lady Finger.  There are several types of these and new ones are being developed.  One of the new varieties is called Gold Finger which has the looks of a Cavendish with the taste of a Lady Finger.  It is said to have a long shelf life as a ripe fruit and does not oxidise and turn brown when cut making it ideal for fruit salads.

Bananas are Australia’s most popular fruit with the most appealing features being their taste, their nutrition or health aspects, the convenience of easy preparation and consumption and their versatility of use.  On average Australians consume 15 kg of bananas each year.

Bananas are manufactured into also sorts of products and are increasingly being used in jams and chutneys. They can be eaten fresh, baked, roasted, fried, barbecued and mixed into recipe favourites which include banana smoothies, cakes, muffins and fritters and in salads and fruit salads.

Bananas are an excellent nutrition choice because they are 99.5% fat-free with no cholesterol or sodium.  They are a good source of dietary fibre containing vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6 and C.  They also contain the minerals potassium and phosphorous, essential for good health. Studies show a lack of B6 in a diet can cause weakness, irritability and insomnia. Potassium is vital to proper brain function.  Bananas are great for active people as carbohydrates constitute 92% and as much fibre as 1 ½ slices of wholemeal bread.

Banana recipes are not just fun to make but are highly nutritious and are great value for money.  Here’s one you might like to try, it’s great for touring and for smokos.

BANANA HEALTH LOAF

• 1 cup of All Bran cereal                                  

• 1 cup of low fat milk

• 1 cup of wholemeal self-raising flour                  

• 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda

• ½ cup of raw sugar                                        

• ½ cup of chopped dried apricots

• ½ cup of sultanas                                          

• ½ cup of desiccated coconut

• ½ cup of wheatgerm                                      

• 3 bananas

• 2 eggs

Place All Bran in small bowl, cover with milk and allow to stand for 10 to 15 minutes.  In a large bowl combine flour, bicarbonate of soda, sugar, dried apricots, sultanas, coconut and wheatgerm.  Stir well. 

Mash bananas thoroughly, break in eggs and stir to combine.  Add banana mixture and soaked All Bran to dry ingredients.  Mix well.  Pour mixture into greased and lined loaf tin and bake at 170 degrees Centigrade for around one hour or until skewer inserted into the centre comes out cleanly. 

Turn on to a cake cooler and allow to cool. Slice and butter if desired.

Enjoy!

The Kamp C®ook

Last Modified on Tuesday, 23 September 2008
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