How to Eat Blackened Green Bananas

Bananas grow softer and sweeter as they ripen.

As bananas ripen, they color of their peel changes from green, to yellow, to brown and black. However, the changes don't stop there. The color of the peel changes from green to yellow as the starches in the fruit are turned into sugars. This is the process of ripening, and why a green banana is more firm and less sweet than a yellow banana. As a banana continues to ripen, you may not have time to eat it before it begins to turn brown. Don't throw it away. Overly ripened bananas are best for baking breads, as in this recipe from The Food Network.

Things You'll Need

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 large eggs
• 3 overripe (black) bananas
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 9-by-5-by-3 loaf pan
• Electronic mixer
• 3 large mixing bowls

Instructions

Homemade Banana Bread

1. 

   Grease the sides of the pan as well so the bread doesn't stick.

   Preheat the over to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and grease the pan with non-stick baking spray. Set aside.

2. 

   Keep the mixer on a medium speed for more control.

   Take the first mixing bowl and add the sugar and butter. Blend with the electronic blender until it forms a smooth cream. Once it is soft and fluffy, begin adding the eggs one by one, fully blending each egg before adding the next.

3. Peel the bananas and add them to the second mixing bowl. Mash them with a fork until they are no longer lumpy. Then add the milk and cinnamon.

4. Take the third mixing bowl and add the flour, salt, baking soda and baking powder. Sift the mixture with a fork until all of the ingredients seem evenly mixed.

5. Add the banana mixture to the creamed butter mixture and blend with the electronic mixer until it is smooth. Begin adding the flour mixture slowly, until all of the ingredients are evenly mixed.

6. Pour the mixture into your greased pan and place in the preheated oven for about an hour. When a fork or toothpick can be inserted into the middle of the loaf without batter sticking to it, the bread is done.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to spray the bottom and sides of the pan so the bread doesn't stick.

• Check on the bread about halfway through cook time to make sure that it is cooking evenly. If the edges look like they are burning, put the pan on a higher rack in the oven.

• Add chocolate chips to the batter for a treat.

References

• Produce Oasis: Banana
• The Food Network: Banana Bread Recipe