Red Bananas

Red bananas have a striking reddish-purple skin that sets them apart from their yellow counterparts. They have a sweet flavor that hints at raspberry, making them a distinct treat. They are smaller and plumper than the Cavendish bananas, with a creamy flesh that’s rich in beta-carotene and vitamin C. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Capro, Inc. (@congotropicals)

Lady Finger Bananas

Lady Finger bananas, or “Sugar bananas”, are small, thin varieties known for their exceptionally sweet taste and firm texture. They are much smaller than the typical Cavendish banana, usually only about three to four inches long, making them a perfect, healthy snack for kids or a sweet addition to cereal and fruit salads. 

Blue Java Bananas

Imagine a banana that tastes like vanilla ice cream. The Blue Java banana, also known as the “Ice Cream banana”, is just that. These bananas are known for their unusual blue-tinged peels when unripe, which turn a pale yellow when ready to eat. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shambhala Farm (@shambhalafarm)

The post 3 Varieties of Bananas You Didn’t Know About appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Ingredients:

• 4 medium-sized ripe bananas
• 1 ⅔ cup rolled oats
• ¼ cup nut butter (can be substituted for your choice of oil) 
• 1 ⅔ cup ground almonds
• 8 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• ⅔ cup chocolate chips / flaked coconut / chopped nuts (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. 
2. Peel the bananas and place them in a small bowl, then use a fork to mash until you get a smooth paste.
3. Add the nut butter, maple syrup, cinnamon, salt, ground almonds, and oats to the same bowl.
4. Mix well, adding a tiny splash of milk if it’s looking too dry.
5. Leave the mixture for 10 minutes to allow the oats to soak. 
6. Transfer the mixture into a baking tin lined with greased baking paper. 
7. Scatter over the chocolate chips, coconut, or chopped nuts and press them down into the batter.
8. Bake in the oven for around 20 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool before cutting into squares.

The post These Banana Oatmeal Bars Aren’t Just for Breakfast appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lara De Bruyne (@lalasplate)

Gather the overripe bananas that you don’t want to eat anymore. Peel the skin and slice them into small chunks. One to two inches per slice is okay. Depending on what you will use them for, you can adapt the size of the pieces, but in general, smaller pieces are better for blending later.

Layer the banana chunks on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. You want to carefully arrange them so they aren’t all over the place. Doing that will allow each chunk to freeze separately, and for example, if you just toss them into a freezer bag you will end up with a big frozen banana brick you can’t really use.

Once the bananas have frozen on the baking sheet, you can transfer them to plastic bags for easier storage. Then simply use as much as you need at a time without a single worry!

The post This is the Smartest Way to Freeze Bananas appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Fruits are generally a pretty good bet as a food that both you and your dog can enjoy. However, these are the ones you can rely on more than others.

Blueberries

Blueberries are low in sugar and contain nothing that can harm dogs. In fact, their high antioxidant content is also helpful for boosting your pup’s immune system and keeping it healthy. They’ll love biting into these little blue beauties.

Bananas

One treat we love giving to our dogs on special occasions is a little bit of sliced banana. Don’t give them too much, as they do contain a good bit of sugar, but a few slices of banana every so often is a tasty treat they’ll love, while giving them a bit of fiber and potassium.

Seedless Watermelon

Looking for a treat your dog will love on a hot summer day? Watermelon is nearly 95% water and low in sugar, making it an ideal, refreshing treat for your canine companion. Just be sure to give it to them in a seedless form without the rind, as these two elements could cause intestinal system blockages if given to your dog.

The post These Fruits are Healthy for Both Humans and Dogs! appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Here are 6 tricks for your old bananas.

Freeze

Rather than throwing your old bananas away, the first thing to do is freeze them. Then you can use them in the future in any of the ways outlined below.

Ice Lollipop

A frozen banana makes an excellent ice lollipop. Just take it out of the freezer and eat it to your heart’s content.

Banana Bread

Old bananas are perfect for this classic dish. Very ripe bananas are sweeter, softer and better for baking than younger bananas.

Milkshake

Put the banana into a blender with a pint of milk, and you have beautiful milkshakes. If you’re feeling indulgent, add a little cream on top.

Smoothie

Whack the old bananas in a blender with your choice of fruits and add ice for a delicious, healthy and refreshing fruit smoothie.

Cake

You can also bake your ripe bananas into cakes. They give the cake a hint of sweet banana without being overpowering.

The post 6 Uses for Old Bananas appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Fiber is extremely important for dietary health and is a crucial component of any healthy diet, so why not work these fruits into your routine?

Kiwis

Kiwis are a fantastically versatile fruit, as they can be enjoyed with or without their peel, in yogurts and desserts, or by themselves! Not only is this fruit tasty, but it also packs a healthy punch of 3 grams of fiber per 100 grams.

Pears

Pears are available in tons of different colors, varieties, and flavors, but what they all have in common is their generous fiber content. In fact, one medium-sized pear tends to contain around 5.5 grams of dietary fiber, nearly 25% of what you should consume per day of this nutrient!

Bananas

Bananas are a wonderful fruit that helps with dietary health, muscle cramps, and energy levels, and its levels of fibers are nothing to sneeze at either. A banana usually contains between 3 and 4 grams of dietary fiber, a great start to getting towards your daily needs of this nutrient.

The post Add These Fruits to Your Diet For a Fiber Boost appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Spanish explorers, who were introduced to the banana in Southeast Asia during the 15th and 16th centuries brought the banana plant to the islands due to their ideal climate for the cultivation of the fruit.

Cavendish bananas are the most commonly cultivated banana varietal on the islands.

Canary bananas are cultivated on five of the seven islands in the archipelago, including Tenerife, La Palma, Gran Canaria, El Hierro, and La Gomera. Tenerife and La Palma, whose fertile volcanic soil and optimal temperatures allow for the massive production of the crop, are the two major producers of Canarian bananas.

These fruits are very popular in Europe due to the small distance traveled to export them. This means that they are fresher, sweeter, and contain more vitamins and minerals than those that are imported from elsewhere.

Have you tried a delicious Canary banana yet? If not, seek one out and be amazed at just how delicious these little yellow beauties are.

The post Get to Know the Famous Canarian Bananas appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Ingredients:

• 3 very ripe bananas
• 1/3 cup melted butter, unsalted or salted
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup sugar (it depends how sweet you like it, but we always use 1/2)
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1/2 12 oz bag chocolate chips
• nuts of your choice

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C).
2. Butter a 4×8 inch loaf pan or skip this step if you’re making muffins.
3. Mash the bananas in a mixing bowl with a fork until they are smooth and stir in the melted butter.
4. Mix in the baking soda and salt. Stir the sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix in the flour.
5. Add the chocolate chips and stir. If you want to add nuts add them in.
6. Pour the batter into the pan or muffin tins and bake it for 50 min to an hour. The banana bread is done when you can stick a toothpick through the center and it comes out clean.
7. Remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
8. Enjoy!

The post The Most Amazing Banana Bread Recipe appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Red Bananas

Red bananas have a striking reddish-purple skin that sets them apart from their yellow counterparts. They have a sweet flavor that hints at raspberry, making them a distinct treat. They are smaller and plumper than the Cavendish bananas, with a creamy flesh that’s rich in beta-carotene and vitamin C. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Capro, Inc. (@congotropicals)

Lady Finger Bananas

Lady Finger bananas, or “Sugar bananas”, are small, thin varieties known for their exceptionally sweet taste and firm texture. They are much smaller than the typical Cavendish banana, usually only about three to four inches long, making them a perfect, healthy snack for kids or a sweet addition to cereal and fruit salads. 

Blue Java Bananas

Imagine a banana that tastes like vanilla ice cream. The Blue Java banana, also known as the “Ice Cream banana”, is just that. These bananas are known for their unusual blue-tinged peels when unripe, which turn a pale yellow when ready to eat. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shambhala Farm (@shambhalafarm)

The post 3 Varieties of Bananas You Didn’t Know About appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Ingredients:

• 4 medium-sized ripe bananas
• 1 ⅔ cup rolled oats
• ¼ cup nut butter (can be substituted for your choice of oil) 
• 1 ⅔ cup ground almonds
• 8 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• ⅔ cup chocolate chips / flaked coconut / chopped nuts (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. 
2. Peel the bananas and place them in a small bowl, then use a fork to mash until you get a smooth paste.
3. Add the nut butter, maple syrup, cinnamon, salt, ground almonds, and oats to the same bowl.
4. Mix well, adding a tiny splash of milk if it’s looking too dry.
5. Leave the mixture for 10 minutes to allow the oats to soak. 
6. Transfer the mixture into a baking tin lined with greased baking paper. 
7. Scatter over the chocolate chips, coconut, or chopped nuts and press them down into the batter.
8. Bake in the oven for around 20 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool before cutting into squares.

The post These Banana Oatmeal Bars Aren’t Just for Breakfast appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lara De Bruyne (@lalasplate)

Gather the overripe bananas that you don’t want to eat anymore. Peel the skin and slice them into small chunks. One to two inches per slice is okay. Depending on what you will use them for, you can adapt the size of the pieces, but in general, smaller pieces are better for blending later.

Layer the banana chunks on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. You want to carefully arrange them so they aren’t all over the place. Doing that will allow each chunk to freeze separately, and for example, if you just toss them into a freezer bag you will end up with a big frozen banana brick you can’t really use.

Once the bananas have frozen on the baking sheet, you can transfer them to plastic bags for easier storage. Then simply use as much as you need at a time without a single worry!

The post This is the Smartest Way to Freeze Bananas appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Fruits are generally a pretty good bet as a food that both you and your dog can enjoy. However, these are the ones you can rely on more than others.

Blueberries

Blueberries are low in sugar and contain nothing that can harm dogs. In fact, their high antioxidant content is also helpful for boosting your pup’s immune system and keeping it healthy. They’ll love biting into these little blue beauties.

Bananas

One treat we love giving to our dogs on special occasions is a little bit of sliced banana. Don’t give them too much, as they do contain a good bit of sugar, but a few slices of banana every so often is a tasty treat they’ll love, while giving them a bit of fiber and potassium.

Seedless Watermelon

Looking for a treat your dog will love on a hot summer day? Watermelon is nearly 95% water and low in sugar, making it an ideal, refreshing treat for your canine companion. Just be sure to give it to them in a seedless form without the rind, as these two elements could cause intestinal system blockages if given to your dog.

The post These Fruits are Healthy for Both Humans and Dogs! appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Here are 6 tricks for your old bananas.

Freeze

Rather than throwing your old bananas away, the first thing to do is freeze them. Then you can use them in the future in any of the ways outlined below.

Ice Lollipop

A frozen banana makes an excellent ice lollipop. Just take it out of the freezer and eat it to your heart’s content.

Banana Bread

Old bananas are perfect for this classic dish. Very ripe bananas are sweeter, softer and better for baking than younger bananas.

Milkshake

Put the banana into a blender with a pint of milk, and you have beautiful milkshakes. If you’re feeling indulgent, add a little cream on top.

Smoothie

Whack the old bananas in a blender with your choice of fruits and add ice for a delicious, healthy and refreshing fruit smoothie.

Cake

You can also bake your ripe bananas into cakes. They give the cake a hint of sweet banana without being overpowering.

The post 6 Uses for Old Bananas appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Fiber is extremely important for dietary health and is a crucial component of any healthy diet, so why not work these fruits into your routine?

Kiwis

Kiwis are a fantastically versatile fruit, as they can be enjoyed with or without their peel, in yogurts and desserts, or by themselves! Not only is this fruit tasty, but it also packs a healthy punch of 3 grams of fiber per 100 grams.

Pears

Pears are available in tons of different colors, varieties, and flavors, but what they all have in common is their generous fiber content. In fact, one medium-sized pear tends to contain around 5.5 grams of dietary fiber, nearly 25% of what you should consume per day of this nutrient!

Bananas

Bananas are a wonderful fruit that helps with dietary health, muscle cramps, and energy levels, and its levels of fibers are nothing to sneeze at either. A banana usually contains between 3 and 4 grams of dietary fiber, a great start to getting towards your daily needs of this nutrient.

The post Add These Fruits to Your Diet For a Fiber Boost appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Spanish explorers, who were introduced to the banana in Southeast Asia during the 15th and 16th centuries brought the banana plant to the islands due to their ideal climate for the cultivation of the fruit.

Cavendish bananas are the most commonly cultivated banana varietal on the islands.

Canary bananas are cultivated on five of the seven islands in the archipelago, including Tenerife, La Palma, Gran Canaria, El Hierro, and La Gomera. Tenerife and La Palma, whose fertile volcanic soil and optimal temperatures allow for the massive production of the crop, are the two major producers of Canarian bananas.

These fruits are very popular in Europe due to the small distance traveled to export them. This means that they are fresher, sweeter, and contain more vitamins and minerals than those that are imported from elsewhere.

Have you tried a delicious Canary banana yet? If not, seek one out and be amazed at just how delicious these little yellow beauties are.

The post Get to Know the Famous Canarian Bananas appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.

Ingredients:

• 3 very ripe bananas
• 1/3 cup melted butter, unsalted or salted
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup sugar (it depends how sweet you like it, but we always use 1/2)
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1/2 12 oz bag chocolate chips
• nuts of your choice

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350F (175C).
2. Butter a 4×8 inch loaf pan or skip this step if you’re making muffins.
3. Mash the bananas in a mixing bowl with a fork until they are smooth and stir in the melted butter.
4. Mix in the baking soda and salt. Stir the sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix in the flour.
5. Add the chocolate chips and stir. If you want to add nuts add them in.
6. Pour the batter into the pan or muffin tins and bake it for 50 min to an hour. The banana bread is done when you can stick a toothpick through the center and it comes out clean.
7. Remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes.
8. Enjoy!

The post The Most Amazing Banana Bread Recipe appeared first on thedancingcucumber.com.