Characterized by their bright yellow color and sweet taste, bananas are the ideal fruit for snacks and sports activities.
Bananas come in a variety of sizes and colors, but are always sweet and satisfying when eaten! Bananas have been around forever. Did you know that they have grown on this planet for over 1 million years and that experts believe the first plants grew in the jungles of Southeast Asia?
The origin of the banana plant can be traced to the far eastern part of the world. In this region, the wild banana was slowly domesticated over time. Bananas are first mentioned as a food source sometime between 800 and 600 BC. From the Far East, bananas were transported to the Mediterranean region around 300 BC. Besides being a food source, banana leaves may have also served as an important source of fiber.
Although already known by some, the banana was officially introduced to the American public at the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition of 1876. By the early 1900s, the banana was becoming a staple food for North America.
Ways to Enjoy Bananas:
Bananas can be enjoyed as a great healthy on-the-go snack, as part of a meal or desert, in a milkshake, with cereal or in a banana split.
- Very low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium
- Very good source of vitamin B6
- Good source of dietary fiber, vitamin c, potassium, and manganese
Banana Quick Facts:
- Bananas are America’s #1 healthy fruit snack.
- The typical American consumes an average 28lbs of bananas yearly.
Try Bananas in this and other recipes
4 large bananas
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1/4 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. salt
1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into little pieces
4 individual serving baking dishes
- Preheat oven to 400° degrees.
- Slice bananas in 1/4 inch pieces.
- Place the bananas cut side down in individual serving prepared baking dishes.
- Place dry ingredients into a medium-mixing bowl.
- Add the butter to the dry ingredients until the mixture is crumbly.
- Spread the crumble mixture over the bananas in an even layer, pressing down slightly.
- Place the dish in the oven and bake about 10 to 15 minutes.