Zebrina Rojo, edible leaves?

greatnorthernbanana · 08-03-2017, 03:38 PM

Hello! I have had this Musa sumatrana 'Zebrina Rojo' Blood Banana for about four years now. It's strictly an indoor plant outside of summer because I live in Michigan (zone 5), so I doubt if it'll ever even flower. I'm aware that the fruits are up for debate if they are edible or not, but my question isn't about the fruits.

I'm actually just curious about the leaves. Banana leaves are used in a lot of food preparation of recipes that I would like to try, I'm just curious whether or not it's safe to do so with this variety? The recipes I'm interested in usually have them as wrappers, most of all tamales. So just curious about that.

Thanks!

Gabe15 · 08-04-2017, 12:29 AM

Any banana leaves are fine to use, they vary in their size and thickness so some avrieties tend work better than others, but all are safe. Especially with an indoor plant, you may have thinner weaker leaves, so be careful with them. Make sure to give them a quick steam beforehand using, it will help them to be soft and flexible and less likely to rip, sometimes and even just holding them over steam is enough.

greatnorthernbanana · 08-04-2017, 12:37 AM

Thank you! I will definitely give it a shot then here in the next couple of weeks when I have the time!

Darkman · 08-04-2017, 01:17 PM

To be clear, are we speaking of using the leaves as a cooking vessel but NOT EATING THE LEAVES! Right?

greatnorthernbanana · 08-05-2017, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkman

To be clear, are we speaking of using the leaves as a cooking vessel but NOT EATING THE LEAVES! Right?

Yes! I would be using them as a tamale wrapper, so just like you don't eat the corn husks in that version of the recipe, the banana leaves are treated in the same manner. They just serve as a wrapper, and a means to steam the masa and all that inside, not to be eaten themselves!

Darkman · 08-05-2017, 12:47 AM

I have also heard of cooking pork and fish wrapped in the leaves. I do know there care recipes for the flower petals!

greatnorthernbanana · 08-05-2017, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkman

I have also heard of cooking pork and fish wrapped in the leaves. I do know there care recipes for the flower petals!

I'd love to try that, too. There are a lot of recipes with the leaves and the blossoms, but unfortunately I live in an area where they're more than likely never going to get the chance to blossom. My personal plants, I mean! Someone up here probably has a great set up, but not me!

cincinnana · 08-05-2017, 08:17 PM

Awesome post...

I have used leaves with fish and have given some to friends to cook with.
The multi colored leaves make a good presentation....There is a front side and a backside to the leaf, each with its own color.

08-03-2017, 03:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
greatnorthernbanana Find me on the map! Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 4 BananaBucks : 339 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 4 Times Was Thanked 6 Times in 3 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Zebrina Rojo, edible leaves? Hello! I have had this Musa sumatrana 'Zebrina Rojo' Blood Banana for about four years now. It's strictly an indoor plant outside of summer because I live in Michigan (zone 5), so I doubt if it'll ever even flower. I'm aware that the fruits are up for debate if they are edible or not, but my question isn't about the fruits. I'm actually just curious about the leaves. Banana leaves are used in a lot of food preparation of recipes that I would like to try, I'm just curious whether or not it's safe to do so with this variety? The recipes I'm interested in usually have them as wrappers, most of all tamales. So just curious about that. Thanks!

08-04-2017, 12:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
Gabe15 Moderator Gabe15's Photo Gallery Location: Oahu, Hawaii Find me on the map! Zone: 12 Name: Gabe Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3,482 BananaBucks : 305,232 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 1 Times Was Thanked 6,535 Times in 1,768 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 8 Times	Re: Zebrina Rojo, edible leaves? Any banana leaves are fine to use, they vary in their size and thickness so some avrieties tend work better than others, but all are safe. Especially with an indoor plant, you may have thinner weaker leaves, so be careful with them. Make sure to give them a quick steam beforehand using, it will help them to be soft and flexible and less likely to rip, sometimes and even just holding them over steam is enough. __________________ Growing bananas in Colorado, Hawaii and Washington since 2004.

08-04-2017, 12:37 AM	#3 (permalink)
greatnorthernbanana Find me on the map! Join Date: Aug 2017 Posts: 4 BananaBucks : 339 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 4 Times Was Thanked 6 Times in 3 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 0 Times	Re: Zebrina Rojo, edible leaves? Thank you! I will definitely give it a shot then here in the next couple of weeks when I have the time!

08-04-2017, 01:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
Darkman Dirt Master Darkman's Photo Gallery Location: Pensacola, FL South of I-10 Find me on the map! Zone: 8b/9a Name: Darkman Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 1,221 BananaBucks : 120,868 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 9,211 Times Was Thanked 1,503 Times in 675 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 242 Times	Re: Zebrina Rojo, edible leaves? To be clear, are we speaking of using the leaves as a cooking vessel but NOT EATING THE LEAVES! Right? __________________ Darkman in Pensacola AS ALWAYS IMHO AND YOUR MILEAGE MAY DIFFER!!!!!!!! Life - Some assembly required, As is no warranty, Batteries not included, Instructions shipped separately and are frequently wrong! Kentucky Bourbon - It may not solve the problem but it helps to make it tolerable! Statistics - Data that analyst twist to support the insane opinions of those that pay them.

08-05-2017, 12:47 AM	#6 (permalink)
Darkman Dirt Master Darkman's Photo Gallery Location: Pensacola, FL South of I-10 Find me on the map! Zone: 8b/9a Name: Darkman Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 1,221 BananaBucks : 120,868 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 9,211 Times Was Thanked 1,503 Times in 675 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 242 Times	Re: Zebrina Rojo, edible leaves? I have also heard of cooking pork and fish wrapped in the leaves. I do know there care recipes for the flower petals! __________________ Darkman in Pensacola AS ALWAYS IMHO AND YOUR MILEAGE MAY DIFFER!!!!!!!! Life - Some assembly required, As is no warranty, Batteries not included, Instructions shipped separately and are frequently wrong! Kentucky Bourbon - It may not solve the problem but it helps to make it tolerable! Statistics - Data that analyst twist to support the insane opinions of those that pay them.

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08-05-2017, 08:17 PM	#8 (permalink)
cincinnana Container Grower Location: Southwest Ohio U.S.A Find me on the map! Zone: HZ 6/5 Microclimate - Elevation 750 feet- 228.60 meters Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 2,889 BananaBucks : 9,744 Feedback: 3 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2,819 Times Was Thanked 5,568 Times in 2,153 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 1,175 Times	Re: Zebrina Rojo, edible leaves? Awesome post... I have used leaves with fish and have given some to friends to cook with. The multi colored leaves make a good presentation....There is a front side and a backside to the leaf, each with its own color. __________________ Cincinnana's photos Last edited by cincinnana : 08-06-2017 at 05:02 AM.

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