Save those bananas!

Bananas I'm guessing are probably the number one fruit thrown out. They ripen and brown over a few days and if their not eaten allot of people assume to toss them in the garbage. In my opinion what a waste! There are so many thing you can do with overripe bananas... so next time your about to throw them out remember this post and look below!

Here are a few ideas that I use on a weekly basis-

• Freeze your bananas to use in fruit smoothies, muffins, pancakes and lots of other recipes. The best way to freeze bananas is by cutting them up in slices, laying them on a pan individually, putting the pan in the freezer and then once their frozen throwing them in a ziploc to put back in the freezer for future use. In my opinion that's the best way if you don't want them to stick together.
  
• Use them to make yummy banana bread. This is my kiddos favorite treat. Here is my favorite recipe and trust me Ive tried a few! If you love super moist bread then this is for you. It might not be the healthiest but it sure tastes good!

Flour's Famous Banana Bread
Ingredients
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour (If I want to be healthy I substitute 1/2 whole wheat flour or oat bran)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil
3 1/2 bananas, very ripe, mashed
2 tablespoons creme fraiche or sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup walnuts, toasted and chopped
Directions
Set oven to 350 degrees F. Line the bottom of a loaf pan with parchment paper.
Sift together the flour, baking soda, cinnamon and salt. Beat sugar and eggs with a whisk until light and fluffy, about 10 minutes. Beating the sugar and eggs for 10 minutes is the key to making the banana bread super moist. Drizzle in oil. Add mashed bananas, creme fraiche, and vanilla. Fold in dry ingredients and nuts. Pour into a lined loaf pan and bake for about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

• My kids also love peanut butter and banana sandwiches and these always seem to taste better when the bananas are just a tad overripe.
  
• Banana chips are another healthy easy snack to make. Just slice them in small thin rounds and lay them on a wire rack so no part touches another. Season with cinnamon and sugar or with nothing... they taste great either way. Bake on very low heat at about 150 for 8 to 10 hours and leave the oven door slightly open to promote air circulation. When done store in a ziploc bag.