Today I had to go to the food bank because I had little to no food in the house and no money. So I filled out the paperwork, presented two forms of identification and received a large box of goods. On top of the box was a large bunch of brown bananas, falling away from their peeling, oozing next to the roll of toilet paper. If you have ever received assistance from food banks you know that it is a blessing if they have vegetables and fruit of any kind, even from a can, much less whole produce! I needed the potassium those slimy brown fruits had to offer, but they would need to all be eaten fast or there would be nothing edible left. Still as I lugged my burden the seven blocks to get home, I wondered to myself what to do with my treasure.
The prospect of eating them as they were was not very palatable. Banana bread? They would be perfect for it, but I had almost no flour at home. Fried bananas? They would never hold up their shape for traditional fried bananas...however...
So I got home, sank into the floor tiredly, got up, cooled off, put away my loot, and set about making my lunch out of my bruised tropical delights.
I mashed them all up, saved most in the fridge for later, and kept the last three mashed bananas in a bowl for batter. Now, how to make this into frying material? I had a little oil to cook with...so they would be fried somehow. I had sugar in my room (I keep it on hand to use for exfoliation. It is effective and cheap.) Two tablespoons of sugar went into the mashed bananas. I borrowed a pinch of table salt and threw that in too. I had baking soda in my room (I use it for everything; cleaning, baking, deoderant, toothpaste...) I used a pinch of that. I borrowed one egg and about a half a cup of flour. Beating the egg into the mixture with a fork, I gradually added the flour until it looked somewhat like pancake batter.
Heating some oil in a pan, I plopped portions of the batter into the vessel and fried up "pancakes". They were gooey and sweet in "banana pockets" in the cake. They were golden, crispy on the edges and had an uber-moist cakey texture. They were very heart and filling as well. Very satisfying.
For the last week or so I had not been able to eat lunch, so this for me, was a much needed "pick-up" to my spirits. Deo Gratias! Thanks food bank!
