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harveyc
04-11-2009, 02:19 PM
I was speaking to a USDA official the other day who is an immigrant from India and I brought up the subject of bananas and the diversity in India. He said that the part of the country he comes from has a banana which has a very nice fruit with a peel that is edible. He didn't give me a name (maybe it doesn't have one that I'd understand), but he did say that this was in a tropical climate so it's probably something that wouldn't make it at my place anyways. Anybody here ever hear of such a banana?

Thanks

Harvey

bepah
04-11-2009, 05:52 PM
Are you looking for the banana high? (circa 1965)

LilRaverBoi
04-11-2009, 10:57 PM
Well, I've never heard of a banana with an edible peel. I'm a little bit skeptical. To be honest, there are a lot of things that they eat in other countries that I don't want any part of...banana peels are one of them. If you find a variety with a tasty peel, let me know, but I'm kinda unsure about this one. Seems like an Indian urban legend to me.

Taylor
04-11-2009, 11:05 PM
This would be interesting! Possibly he meant "an edible banana with a peel" but I'm pretty certain he meant what we're thinking!

harveyc
04-11-2009, 11:15 PM
Bryan, this is a USDA official who is highly regarded and your urban legend comment is completely unfounded.

Taylor, he clearly said that there was no need to peel the banana and that the entire fruit was edible and very good. It seemed like it was his favorite banana.

saltydad
04-11-2009, 11:23 PM
I would be interested in this. I drive people nuts by eating roasted peanuts shell and all.

Taylor
04-11-2009, 11:26 PM
Taylor, he clearly said that there was no need to peel the banana and that the entire fruit was edible and very good. It seemed like it was his favorite banana.

I figured but was just making sure. Thanks, Harvey.

harveyc
04-11-2009, 11:31 PM
Howard, I guess you're nuts about nuts! :P

I wonder if the skin on this banana is thin and might split easily. I'd love to visit India with this guy. He's been a geneticist for about 30 years and is full of interesting information. I'd also like to try as many of the mangoes in India as I could. There's one mango tree in India with over 300 varieties on it.

Ken Love, the banana poster creator from Hawaii is going to India for a couple of months and he told me that he is going to visit a friend in India who has 390 types of bananas. Hard to imagine. Of course, I tried to see if he could import some for me but it looks like it will be tough to do as he has a busy schedule and the fees are really crazy. We may still try, though.

Chironex
04-11-2009, 11:33 PM
I would be interested in this. I drive people nuts by eating roasted peanuts shell and all.

I think they taste better that way, too. Now as to the banana fruit that can be eaten with the peel, that would be interesting. I wonder if it is an acquired taste as most of the bananas that I bite into have an awfully astringent peel. I know this when I get one that doesn't peel correctly. So I just bite the end bottom end off. It could be like kumquats. Hope someone finds out what it's called. Maybe Dr Parmar knows?

harveyc
04-11-2009, 11:39 PM
I asked him to e-mail me more about the banana and I mentioned that we were trying to get Dr. Parmar to ship us some bananas. He said he knew who Dr. Parmar but that they are from different parts of the country. I'll send him an e-mail to ask him about the banana and hope for a reply.

LilRaverBoi
04-11-2009, 11:57 PM
Well this is truly a conundrum! Please dispel some more information on this situation as permits! I'm very perplexed by the complexity of this question! Dispel my ignorances!

harveyc
04-12-2009, 12:00 AM
Bryan, I've shot off an e-mail and will post whatever I find out. I'd be more excited about this if I lived in zone 10. I would have probably already applied for my import permit if I did! LOL

Tog Tan
04-12-2009, 10:37 AM
On my side, so far none of the 'naner peels are edible. The Thai skewer the Klauy Kai like a kebab and roast it and many of them eat the 'naner with the peel as it is very thin. The pulp of the Kluay Kai breaks up when cooked, so the best way to eat it is to roast it peel and all to keep the pulp intact. When cooked like this, it tastes like sugar. Maybe this is how the peel is eaten.

I would be interested in this. I drive people nuts by eating roasted peanuts shell and all.
I guess your WC is pretty shell ridden like bullet ridden? :ha:

Chironex
04-12-2009, 01:42 PM
Well this is truly a conundrum! Please dispel some more information on this situation as permits! I'm very perplexed by the complexity of this question! Dispel my ignorances!

Not bad, thesaurically speaking. :ha:

LilRaverBoi
04-12-2009, 03:13 PM
LOL...thanks, glad I entertained you. Don't get me started on crazy words...I'm a huge fan. Here's one for you: phosphatidylethanolamine.....or how about choledochojejunostomy. Ah...good times. :)

Chironex
04-12-2009, 03:27 PM
It's ok, I got your back, although it has been 36 years since I was pre-med.

bigdog
04-12-2009, 07:32 PM
On my side, so far none of the 'naner peels are edible. The Thai skewer the Klauy Kai like a kebab and roast it and many of them eat the 'naner with the peel as it is very thin. The pulp of the Kluay Kai breaks up when cooked, so the best way to eat it is to roast it peel and all to keep the pulp intact. When cooked like this, it tastes like sugar. Maybe this is how the peel is eaten.


I guess your WC is pretty shell ridden like bullet ridden? :ha:

Tog, I tried some of these in a market in Thailand. They were great!

http://www.bananas.org/gallery/watermark.php?file=16623&size=1 (http://www.bananas.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=16623&ppuser=49)

Oh how I miss that wonderful country sometimes...and not just for its bananas either... ;)

Chironex
04-12-2009, 07:53 PM
Oh how I miss that wonderful country sometimes...and not just for its bananas either... ;)

SO what's all the hubub about over there right now? All I can find is that there are anit-government demonstrations gone bad. There is a deposed Prime Minister and a new one in place. It doesn't make sense.

Tog Tan
04-13-2009, 01:45 AM
SO what's all the hubub about over there right now? All I can find is that there are anit-government demonstrations gone bad. There is a deposed Prime Minister and a new one in place. It doesn't make sense.

Sorry Harv, slightly off topic here..
Oi Scot, it's a big family quarrel. If you have been there, you will keep going back. I first went in more than 10 yrs ago and got into a nasty tourist ripoff situation in a pub and had to be pulled out by my friend cos I was so pissed that I wanted to fight with the bouncer. I vowed never to go back again but then later, I started doing business with them and now I call it my second home. The greatest things there in order of my personal preference; Plants, People, Food.
Bkk is a big place, even if there's any problems or violence, it happens only in certain places. If you keep clear of those places, life's all normal. The airport shut down was a 1st time bad happenin'. It's a real great place, don't miss going there in your lifetime.

Bananaman88
04-13-2009, 06:20 AM
[QUOTE=Chironex;70234]It could be like kumquats.

Exactly what I was thinking! The kumquat of the banana world!

Tog Tan
04-13-2009, 06:34 AM
Tog, I tried some of these in a market in Thailand. They were great!
Oh how I miss that wonderful country sometimes...and not just for its bananas either... ;)
Frank, did you try the other one which is Kluay Nam Wah fried in egg batter with a good sprinkling of sesame seeds? Another absolute yummy! 6 pcs sell for us 55 cents.

frog7994
04-13-2009, 06:41 AM
well that would be a new one if there's a banana with a edible peel.

Magilla Gorilla
04-14-2009, 12:17 AM
Howard, I guess you're nuts about nuts! :P

I wonder if the skin on this banana is thin and might split easily. I'd love to visit India with this guy. He's been a geneticist for about 30 years and is full of interesting information. I'd also like to try as many of the mangoes in India as I could. There's one mango tree in India with over 300 varieties on it.

Ken Love, the banana poster creator from Hawaii is going to India for a couple of months and he told me that he is going to visit a friend in India who has 390 types of bananas. Hard to imagine. Of course, I tried to see if he could import some for me but it looks like it will be tough to do as he has a busy schedule and the fees are really crazy. We may still try, though.

Ken Love! He is the one I met on the Big Island that said he knew you Harvey. I bought a poster from him. A really nice guy!!

On my side, so far none of the 'naner peels are edible. The Thai skewer the Klauy Kai like a kebab and roast it and many of them eat the 'naner with the peel as it is very thin. The pulp of the Kluay Kai breaks up when cooked, so the best way to eat it is to roast it peel and all to keep the pulp intact. When cooked like this, it tastes like sugar. Maybe this is how the peel is eaten.


I guess your WC is pretty shell ridden like bullet ridden? :ha:

I have one of these. I wasn't sure if it was an edible fruiter. Mine is still in the one gallon soon to hit the dirt. I grew up in New York and had a nanny from Barbados (no nanny jokes!). She fried plantians and other bananas and sometimes cooked the peels.

Andrew

harveyc
04-14-2009, 12:28 AM
Thanks, Andrew, Ken is a great guy with many interests and he keeps very busy. Maybe he can find this banana when he goes to India soon. I don't remember if you've seen the thread I started about the Hawaii banana video but Ken did that as well. I've also got his banana poster and it's very well done. I've been starting more figs lately and Ken is really big into them as well.

Magilla Gorilla
04-14-2009, 12:45 AM
Thanks, Andrew, Ken is a great guy with many interests and he keeps very busy. Maybe he can find this banana when he goes to India soon. I don't remember if you've seen the thread I started about the Hawaii banana video but Ken did that as well. I've also got his banana poster and it's very well done. I've been starting more figs lately and Ken is really big into them as well.

He is very knowledgeable. He was selling bananas at the local farmers market. My family and I have decided that we want to move to Hawaii sooner than later. The Big Island is affordable compared to Santa Barbara. We are going to look for 2 to 3 acres of land. Real Estate is cheap these days.

Andrew

Chironex
04-14-2009, 01:04 AM
How wonderful for you and yours! I will have to paddle over from China one of these days. Maybe my buddy Mauro will accompany me. I will pick him up in Japan. Tog will have to motor up to join us.

Magilla Gorilla
04-14-2009, 01:18 AM
How wonderful for you and yours! I will have to paddle over from China one of these days. Maybe my buddy Mauro will accompany me. I will pick him up in Japan. Tog will have to motor up to join us.

Too many people don't act on their dreams. Some do but then they pass way. Why wait for the later years to live the dream! Planning is key. Once I set up shop and create my own botanical gardens/tropical jungle you are welcome to paddle over.

harveyc
04-14-2009, 01:31 AM
I hear you on that, for sure. But at the same time, my father relies on me a lot (ever since mom died 5 years ago) and there is no way I could leave him behind and there is no way I could talk him into moving far away. Having a very close family trumps my other dreams.

Bananaman88
04-14-2009, 06:19 AM
Scot, I keep seeing you mention the move to China we talked about when I was in Vegas. Are you really planning it?

Magilla Gorilla
04-14-2009, 09:00 AM
I hear you on that, for sure. But at the same time, my father relies on me a lot (ever since mom died 5 years ago) and there is no way I could leave him behind and there is no way I could talk him into moving far away. Having a very close family trumps my other dreams.

Your a good son! My roadblock is my two girls. They will have to go to private school in Hawaii. The schools are not the best on the Big Island. Harvey, you are welcome to come and visit me. We want to build a small guest house on the property.

Chironex
04-14-2009, 12:18 PM
Scot, I keep seeing you mention the move to China we talked about when I was in Vegas. Are you really planning it?

Indeed I am. I am going to visit in 3 weeks, then will probably go back around late fall/early winter. Depending on a few variables.

My daughter's wedding is in July 2010, so I will be here until July 11th, 2010. If all goes well, I will be heading over for good right after that.

So, I am here for at least a bit more than a year.

Bananaman88
04-14-2009, 12:21 PM
Well, I wish you well on your impending move, then. What do you intend to do with your banana collection when you move? Hopefully things will work out on that trade we discussed before you move! Take care of that girl!

Chironex
04-14-2009, 01:34 PM
No worries. I plan to auction off a bunch to our members here. Some of the less common bananas I will auction off on eBay to raise funds. I will probably do things to encourage pupping next spring. This way, more people can have the plants.
I have committed a few of them already. Yes, yours is safe. Harveys is safe. One other AeAe pup is committed.

I do ask that no more requests be made as I can't keep track of all of them. I just want to grow my bananas and then when the time comes, I will let everyone know what is available at that time.

unhinderedliving
01-05-2010, 11:06 PM
Banana peels are completely edible. There's nothing wrong with eating them raw, but I think they taste better cooked. Here's a recipe I found that uses the peels:

Banana Skin and Cow Pea

* Peel off 3 or 4 bananas
* Black eyed cow pea - 1/2 cup
* Grated coconut - 2 tbsp
* Oil-2 tsp
* Mustard - 1/2 tsp

Cook the cow pea till tender, chop the banana peel finely and boil in water with turmeric and salt till tender; drain off excess water and keep aside.

Heat oil in frying pan, add mustard seeds and add the cooked peel and cow pea and mix well.Garnish with grated coconut and serve.

*******************************************

As far as the pesticides on bananas, it's on everything else you eat too, just wash them well, or buy organic.

Rmplmnz
01-05-2010, 11:39 PM
As far as the pesticides on bananas, it's on everything else you eat too, just wash them well, or buy organic.

No need to "Buy Organic"...:)

Abnshrek
01-06-2010, 12:26 AM
I never heard of such.. I know those roasted nanner's almost look like squash :^)

unhinderedliving
01-06-2010, 12:40 PM
No need to "Buy Organic"...:)

For me, there is. I don't buy anything that's not organic. I am very sensitive to the pesticides. When my mother used to eat non-organic potatoes, she'd have severe intestinal pains and be in bed for two days. These pesticides they put on things are just not good for us. And since they are literally on EVERYTHING, we are getting quite a toxic load of it when you add up how much you are getting in everything combined. Especially tropical fruits, because they put on a lot of fungicides and things. And, I just don't cotton to the idea of being forced to eat poison food because there isn't anything else available, I won't do it.

Rmplmnz
01-06-2010, 12:58 PM
For me, there is. I don't buy anything that's not organic. I am very sensitive to the pesticides. When my mother used to eat non-organic potatoes, she'd have severe intestinal pains and be in bed for two days. These pesticides they put on things are just not good for us. And since they are literally on EVERYTHING, we are getting quite a toxic load of it when you add up how much you are getting in everything combined. Especially tropical fruits, because they put on a lot of fungicides and things. And, I just don't cotton to the idea of being forced to eat poison food because there isn't anything else available, I won't do it.

My comment was not intended to discourage the purchase of organic....it was an inflection that we grow our own organic and do not have a need to "buy" organic;-)....We have always grown bananas organically.

curriedrice
01-06-2010, 04:03 PM
I think I know the banana you are speaking off. This is a finger banana with almost a paper thin peel. I remember a relative of mine mentioning the same story about edible peels.

The peel isn't as astringent or harsh as regular bananas but it tastes like a peel. Hence, I stay away from this.

This is probably something like Mysore.

CValentine
01-06-2010, 08:55 PM
I would be interested in this. I drive people nuts by eating roasted peanuts shell and all.Me too!!! :) ~Cheryl

aash09
01-06-2010, 09:24 PM
Don't eat too many sunflower seed shells. It can cause uncomfortable problems......

AV1611Corbin777
01-06-2010, 09:54 PM
My bearded dragon eats store bought nanners with peel on.
I usually wait till they are soft yellow or browning. I tend to like them still slightly green, I will try one next time I feed them to him and let you all know how it is.

I'm guessing its not going to be a pleasing taste.

curriedrice
01-06-2010, 11:25 PM
I admit it - I buy sunflower seeds peeled.

harveyc
01-07-2010, 02:13 AM
Okay, you guys have messed up my thread somewhat so I'll also voice support for sunflower seeds in the shells. But I don't eat the shells.

Son after becoming a father and gaining some experience in sleep deprivation, I was taking in large amounts of caffeine to try to stay awake while commuting an hour or more (one way). Some co-workers shared with me a bag of sunflower seeds along with a prophetic message passed out by some evangelist who was on a mission of saving humanity from snooze-related automobile accidents. Along with a story of his experiences of driving on the zombie state, he wrote that he found that eating in-shell sunflower seeds helped him a great deal in staying awake while driving. I have consumed hundreds of bags of sunflower seeds in the past 11-12 years and found them to be very helpful. My dad has suggested I save some effort and buy shelled seeds but I told him that misses the point as the high level of mental awareness required for removing the shells is what helps keep me awake. :)