Bananas are a very important staple commodity together with wheat, rice or corn. Bananas are mainly consumed as a fresh fruit. However, there is a multitude of recipes that include bananas as a basic ingredient one is banana pastillas. Bananas consist mainly of sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose) and fiber, which makes them ideal for an immediate and slightly prolonged source of energy.
Banana Pastillas Ingredients:
1 kilo (5 cups) mashed ripe bananas (saba or cavendish)
300 gm. (2 1/4 cups) sugar
Butter or margarine
Utensils needed:
Rolling pin
Frying pan
Chopping or kneading board
Spatula
Kitchen knife
Wax paper
Procedure:
1. Prepare the mashed bananas as follows: Boil the ripe bananas (saba or cavendish). Peel and slice into 3 cm. thick.
2. Grind the sliced bananas until it is mashed, add the sugar and cook over slow fire. Stirring should be done constantly until a clear mixture is obtained with the desired consistency. The mixture should not stick to the sides of the frying pan.
3. Transfer the mixture over a kneading board covered with wax paper. Sprinkle small amounts of sugar over the wax paper. Spread the mashed mixture using a rolling pin until it is 1 inch thick.
4. Spread butter and small amounts of sugar over the mixture.
5. Make slices of about 4 x 1 cm. Cool and wrap individually.
Source: Food and Technology Research and Development Program ITDI, DOST, bananasweb.com
