FruitsAge.com Latest Blog Posts

Citrus Fruits Lower Women's Stroke Risk

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:07:25 GMT

A diet rich in citrus fruits, such as oranges and grapefruits, may reduce women's risk of stroke, a new study says. In the study, women who ate the most citrus fruit had a 19 percent lower risk of having an ischemic stroke than women who ate the least. In an ischemic stroke, blood flow to the brain is blocked, sometimes by clogged arteries.

While other studies have looked at the benefits of eating fruit in general, in the new study, the researchers looked at different types of fruit. Prior research has shown that compounds called flavonoids found in fruit — and also in vegetables, dark chocolate and red wine — may benefit health, but not all flavonoids appear to have the same effect on stroke. In the new study, there was no link between overall flavonoids consumption and stroke risk, the researchers said.

But citrus fruit contains a subgroup of flavaonoids, called flavanones, and it's these compounds that the new study linked with lower stroke risk. While flavanones can be found in citrus juices, the researchers recommended eating more citrus fruit, rather than drinking more juice, because commercial fruit juices tend to contain a lot of sugar.

The study will be published in April issue of the Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association. The study followed 69,622 women for 14 years, with participants reporting their food intake (including details on fruit and vegetable consumption) every four years. The researchers examined analyzed the women's diets, looking for the six main subclasses of flavonoids — flavanones, anthocyanins, flavan-3-ols, flavonoid polymers, flavonols and flavones.

Flavanones may reduce risk of stroke through several mechanisms, including improving blood vessel health and countering inflammation, said study researcher Aedín Cassidy, a professor of nutrition at the University of East Anglia in the United Kingdom.

Previous studies on fruit consumption and stroke risk have had mixed results. For instance, one study found a link between increased consumption of white fruits like apples and pears and lower stroke risk, but found no link for yellow and orange fruits.

More studies are needed to confirm the association between flavanone consumption and stroke risk, and to gain a better understanding of the link, the researchers said.

VN to better control fruit, vegetable exports

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 14:49:03 GMT

The Executive Agency for Health and Consumers of the European Commission recently announced that the EU would issue a ban on imports of fruits and vegetables from Vietnam if 5 more cases violating regulations on food safety and plant quarantine were detected.

A lot of fruits and vegetables exported to the EU have been found to be infected with microorganism and pest, the ministry said. “If this situation happens, not only Vietnam’s fruits and vegetables will be banned in the EU but the prestige of Vietnam’s agro-products on the international market will also be severely damaged,” the ministry said.

Meanwhile, the Plant Protection Department said it would promote the inspection of fresh fruits and vegetables exported to the EU and issue guidelines to localities and exporters to ensure their products are qualified for export to Europe.

The Plant Protection Department is also required to only allow exports of qualified shipments in accordance with the above regulations. The agriculture ministry has instructed customs agencies to make clearance for only those consignments having the Phytosanitary Certificate granted by plant quarantine agencies.

“The EU’s demand for stopping imports of fruits and vegetables from Vietnam if there are 5 more violating cases is very difficult to meet,” said Nguyen Van Nga, head of the Zone 2 Plant Quarantine Inspection Department.

Currently, the department only inspects goods by the sampling method, meaning that it only inspects 2 or 3 out of 100 batches, so the probability to miss out unqualified batches is very high. “To solve the problem thoroughly, it is recommended to apply regulations on safe vegetable production in line with VietGap or GlobalGap,” Nga said.

Nga added that Vietnam currently exported few vegetables to the EU, but exports of fruits like grapefruit, rambutan, mangoes and star-apples are very substantial. Therefore, if the EU imposes the ban, the loss to Vietnam is very high.

“We should restrict exports of some items with high risks of not meeting the standard to avoid big losses to the domestic fruit and vegetable industry,” Nga said. Preliminary data released by the General Department of Vietnam Customs show that in the first half of January, Vietnam’s exports of fruits and vegetables totaled US$22.6 million. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development projects exports of fruits and vegetables in 2012 to reach $650 million, a year-on-year rise of 4.4 percent.

Thai launches website to promote Thai fruits in China

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 14:35:53 GMT

BANGKOK, 19 February 2012 - The Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has tasked its Office of Agricultural Affairs in Beijing to launch a website for brand building of Thai fruits in China.

Thethaifruit.com has been launched in Shanghai with an aim to promote Thai fruits and to serve as a knowledge center for growers and entrepreneurs to produce Thai fruits that meet the quality standards and export rules of China. China allows 23 Thai fruits to be imported. Of these, durian, mangosteen, longan, mango, rambutan, and sweet tamarind are fast gaining popularity.

Thai fruit shipments to China have grown steadily thanks to the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement that reduces tariff on fruits and vegetables imported from each side to zero. In 2011, Thai fruit exports to China generated 10 billion baht of revenue.

How Many Calories Are There in Fruits?

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:44:54 GMT

Fruits are something that everyone loves to eat and the best thing about fruits is that will never put on extra calories by eating them. Without fruits, your diet will seem incomplete. Well, everyone knows that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Not just apple, but there are plenty of fruits that are good for your health. Fruit is a great snack, dessert, or addition to just about any meal. Experts suggest eating at least two servings of fruit a day to obtain all of the vitamins and minerals your body needs.

However, if you are planning to lose weight or you are counting calories, it is quite obvious to ask “how many calories are in fruit?” Well, fruits contain calories but in limited amount and it is not something dieters should worry about. Calories in fruit are extremely low due to a high water content, which not only helps hydrate you, but nourishes muscles and organs. Also, the calories in fruits are made up of mostly simple carbohydrates, some proteins, and typically very little fat. Also fruits contain many healthy nutrients – antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber. Fruit contains high amounts of fiber, which is great for the digestion and will help you to feel full faster. Eat fruits with their skin such as apple due to the fact that the skin part contains a lot of fiber. Fiber is good for your health.

A lot of people worry about the sugar content in fruit or the fat in fruits like avocados. But fruits are low in sugar and fat compared to other foods in our diets. For example, a fruit salad is a great dessert that contains only about 100 calories for one cup whereas a scoop of vanilla ice cream contains 260 calories. If you are on a weight loss program, there are many fruits to choose from which can make any low-calorie diet go from dull to delightful. Thus, you can always avoid the one that has got high calories. Best way to enjoy fruits when you want to lose weight fast is to eat a piece of fruit before your regular meals to help refrain from overeating.

When it comes to fruit and fruit juices it is always better to go for the whole fruits. Without the fiber, the health benefit of consuming fruits gets minimized.

Fruits That will Grow In Different The seasons In The US

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 11:25:20 GMT

Besides being a place that inhabits a diverse civilization; the United States of The states also carries out distinct cultivation and processing of a wide variety of many fruits. Fruits that are one of a kind to America currently have the good wife episode guide gradually permeated the worldwide fruit market and thus validating the superior agricultural biodiversity that’s developed across the Individuals. A wide variety of fruits are generally cultivated in different parts of The states; during different months.

Cranberry
Cranberry can be a significant commercial bounty of America; together with Wisconsin as its main producer. The second largest supplier is Massachusetts looked after forms a major bounty of Michigan, Mn, New Jersey, Oregon, Maine and also Washington. They are predominantly grown and found in the cooler parts of the Northern Hemisphere. The plant can be a low shrub together with slender stems; together with small evergreen simply leaves. The berry (fruits) is larger in size versus the plant leaves and also develops a deep beautiful red colors in its fully fresh phase. The fruits is a tad citrus sweet and possesses a lot of antioxidant qualities. It really is popularly known as the “superfruit” with America due to its wealthy nutrient content. Although cranberries are sold within their fresh forms in order to consumers; mostly red grapes are processed in sauces, juices and even dried cranberries (syrupy). In fact, Cranberry gravy forms a significant team cooking item during the United states Thanksgiving as well as a variety of European festivals. Red grapes are usually harvested over the months of November and October. A fruit is also popular due to its health benefits.

United states Mayapple
This fruit can be termed as the Devil’s apple mackintosh, Hogapple, Indian apple, Crazy lemon or the United states Mandrake. While the flower of this crop appears throughout May; the fruits only appears throughout summertime and the Mayapple place is perennial. It is almost always found in the woodlands throughout Canada as well as Eastern side of Oklahoma. The plant stems are around 30-40 cm tall additionally, the night vision goggles rhizome of this plant should really have various medicinal properties. It is important to take note here that the Mayapple place, except for the fruits; is toxic naturally and if consumed can easily kill a human in just 24 hours. The fruits, in some cases may cause diarrhea. The plant is therefore scored as “unsafe” by the FDA.

American Persimmon
The United states Persimmon tree is native to the Eastern district of the United States and the many fruits typically appear as soon as tree is about Six years old. The United states Persimmon fruit is citrus to black in color and is also round or oval in shape. The fruits size may vary amongst 2 6 centimeters. They are commonly referred to as simmons and also forms an essential part of yankee desserts or cuisines. Its commercial styles include Early Fantastic, John Rick, Woolbright, and also Miller and the Ennis. A fruit is delicious and sweet in their ripened phase. The fruits ripens during late fall months and is a rich method of obtaining Vitamin C.

Blueberry
A Blueberry plant is actually native only to the North American region along with its leaves are either time tested or deciduous and bell molded. The berry fruits develops a dark-colored purple color as soon as fully ripened with a sugary and acidic preference. The fruiting takes place relating to the months of May well and October, together with July being the peak fruiting season. That is why, July is referred to as the “National Blueberry Month” in the US and also Canada. The Bananas fruit has been identified as a “superfruit” as it is loaded in nutrient content and also happens to be a rich method of obtaining antioxidants and has a variety of health benefits. It is also applied to the manufacture of a variety of consumer products.

Beachfront Plum
The Beach Plum (plum specie) is actually native to the Chesapeake bay of North American district, from New Brunswick south to Maryland. This unique shrub grows normally in its sand dune home. The blooming transpires during mid May well and June and also ripening of fruits takes place in Sept and early November. A well-drained soil and also sun is desired by this plant and it also well tolerates the salt. In its crushed lime stone dune habitat; the plant becomes partially buried in the sand. The plant is actually commercially cultivated primarily for its fruit, which is used to make jams. A Plum Island in Massachusetts gets its name from the Beach Plum Fruit.

Pawpaw
The Pawpaw plant is actually native to the Eastern region of Canada and america. Locally; the fruits has assumed a variety of common names for example the Prairie Banana, Indiana Banana, Kentucky Banana, Ozark Banana north face jackets and Michigan Banana. The Pawpaw fruit is one of the largest fruits with North America. The fruits is approx Five to 16 centimetres long and has a resemblance to a large berry with numerous seeds. Upon maturing it develops your yellow or brown leafy color. It happens to be an abundant source of protein and also Southeast Ohio is the largest grower and also harvester of the Pawpaw fruit.

How to get your kids to eat more fruits and veggies?

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:50:52 GMT

More and more, scientific research shows that eating at least two fruits and three vegetables per day can have a strong, positive effect on people’s health. Nutrients found in plant foods can help to prevent or in some cases, even treat, diseases like high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, some forms of cancer, and arthritis, among others.

The American diet does not particularly encourage a low-fat, high-produce diet, especially in fast food restaurants. A hectic, on-the-go lifestyle encourages people to eat commercially-prepared food on the run, and easy-to-eat burgers or fries often lack essential vitamins and minerals. The American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, and American Cancer Association all endorse plenty of produce in a person’s daily diet. This is especially important for children, whose developing bodies need healthy nutrients in order to grow properly and function well.

But getting kids to eat enough fruits and veggies can be challenging. Competing with cupcakes, candy, and cookies, carrots have a slim chance of success. Here are some ideas to increase your child’s intake of these valuable commodities:

1. Cut back on household goodies. Restrict snack foods like potato chips, ice cream, pop, cookies, and doughnuts. Make such items a weekly or bi-weekly reward for excellent grade reports, completed projects, or providing above-and-beyond housework help. Stock up on crisp apples and pears, fresh berries, and juicy oranges when in season. Or pick up a bag of frozen fruit for winter-time cobbler or tarts. In the summer, have kids try growing their own, even if it’s just in a window pot.

2. Instead of sugary desserts, for after-dinner treats offer your kids healthy substitutes. Sliced apples with peanut butter for dipping on the side taste almost like a caramel apple. Cantaloupe chunks topped with low-fat whipped cream make tasty “finishers.” Frozen yogurt topped with chocolate syrup tastes almost like ice cream.

3. Add “invisible” vegetables to your kids’ favorite foods. Grate onion “fine” so that it’s nearly invisible and brown it before adding eggs for scrambling. Kids will neither see nor taste the difference, yet receive all the benefits of this great root food. Try a bit of fresh garlic to sautéed meats or add lemon zest or seasoning salt to rev up steamed veggies.

4. Combine small amounts of veggies with the usual fare. Chop spinach or dill for potato pancakes, grate carrots into cream of potato soup, and bake roast chicken with peppers, squash, and other less-familiar foods for the family. Kids may not eat the veggies, but they will receive benefits from the savory vegetable broth that helps to baste the bird.

5. Offer rewards or sponsor a contest to get kids to try new foods. One family paid their fourteen-year-old a dollar for each frog leg he consumed at a Chinese buffet. He ate three! Do the same for vegetable soufflés, casseroles, or entrees. Or make it competitive: whoever eats the most broccoli stems “wins” the two-dollar prize or frozen custard for dessert. After kids try a food, they often eat it again. Veggies need not be villains at your house. Try a few of these ideas or come up with more of your own to make everyday an adventure with a new and exciting veggie!

Fruit trees planted at Follaton community orchard

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:39:13 GMT

People in Totnes hope to enjoy the fruits from the apple, pear and plum trees set in the Follaton Arboretum. The first trees were planted on Saturday by Mayor of Totnes, Judy Westacott. "The fact money to buy the trees was raised locally speaks volumes for how people value our landscape and its traditions," she said.

Keith Rennells, from South Hams District Council, said the orchard was a welcome addition to the arboretum, particularly because Devon has lost almost 90% of its orchards since the 1950s. "Projects like this will help ensure the traditional orchard, a focal point for communities across the country and a crucial habitat for flora and fauna, will continue to be a part of our landscape," he said.

Fresh produce found high in pesticide residue removed from shelves

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:35:57 GMT

Taipei, Feb. 8 (CNA) A random test late last year found 36 types of pesticide residue, 20 of which are considered "virulent," in freshproduce sold in stores, an environmental protection group saidWednesday.

The Taipei office of Greenpeace, an international environmental group, said it randomly checked 58 types of commonly consumed vegetables and fruit sold in eight retail and wholesale chains in December 2011, and found traces of 36 types of pesticide on the products.

Of the 36 types, 20 of them were considered to be virulently toxic or to have reproductive toxicity or negative effect on pollination, Greenpeace said. In addition, leeks sold in a Carrefour store in Yilan County were found to contain 2.7 ppm of carbendazim, a type of pesticide that carries reproductive toxicity, exceeding the legal limit of 1 ppm, it said.

Pesticide that is banned in Taiwan was found in produce sold in three stores, including leaf mustard sold in a Fe-amart outlet in Hualien, jujubes sold in a Sungching store in Taipei and leeks sold in a Wellcome outlet in Taipei, it added.

The group said Chinese cabbages sold in an RT-Mart in Taipei were found to contain six types of pesticide. Others that failed the test included grapes sold in a Sungching store in Taipei, lettuce sold in a Wellcome outlet in Taipei and wax apples in a Hualien Fe-amart outlet.

The stores said they had already removed substandard produce fromstore shelves and had told providers to show pesticide test reports before their products could be put back on shelves.

Tu Bishvat is here - let's eat!

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:34:38 GMT

Israel's winter rains are still going strong, and the trees are thrilled about it. The flowers are blooming, the fruit bursting through, and Israel is gearing up to celebrate Tu Bishvat, the Jewish Arbor Day.

Just like every Jewish holiday, Tu Bishvat is about food. It's traditional to hold a seder for this holiday – similar to the festive Passover meal - complete with the four cups of wine, but with a focus on the fruits and nuts native to Israel. Restaurants across Israel are already preparing to greet Tu Bishvat, which begins Tuesday at sundown, and many have whipped up a special feast just for the occasion. Here are a few of our favorite options.

All specials are being offered on Wednesday, February 8.

The Hataim Metukim (Sweet Sins) sweet shop, in the heart of Tel Aviv's Neve Tsedek neighborhood, will offer a Tu Bishvat-themed brunch every Friday over the course of February. Eat all you want at this hedonistic meal: heap your plate with a rich bulgur-wheat salad containing cranberries, walnuts, and dried fruit, or grab a taste of the cookies and pastries baked specially for this holiday (phyllo pastries with dates and nuts, apricot and fig cookies, and banana chocolate cake are just some of the sinful sweets available!)

Shabazi 67, Neve Tsedek, Tel Aviv

The bistro-bar CENA, on Tel Aviv's Montefiore Street, has cooked up a seven-course meal in honor of Tu Bishvat, with a menu based on the best local fruits, including apricots, figs, oranges, almonds, pears, and a bottomless pitcher of Sangria! Fill your belly on an herb salad with cashews and dried cranberries; bruschetta topped with spring chicken marinated in an apricot/chicken broth; the chicken liver tart with caramelized figs and goat cheese; shrimp steeped in orange butter and topped with flakes of Saint Mor cheese, almonds and croutons. Finish your meal off with chocolate-almonds muffins, or 'drunk' pear mixed with an assortment of nuts, or maybe the lavender cookies and a cup o' joe.

Montefiore 42, Tel Aviv

Montefiore 7, an acclaimed chef's restaurant also located on Tel Aviv's Montefiore Street, is offering a robust menu in honor of the holiday. Special dishes include cream of potato soup with purple carrot, served with a side of hot chestnuts for you to peel on the spot; seared red tuna with wild pansy blossoms and pistachios; beet meringue with a cream of lavender, lemon, endive, yogurt and dried figs; and the best of Israel's cheeses with dried fruit.
Montefiore 7, Tel Aviv

If you want to get out of the city, celebrate the holiday at Meshek Barzilay in Moshav Yarkona, and bring your kids, because this is the perfect chance for them to learn how to plant a tree and tour the blossoming green gardens and orchards. But first, you have to eat! Try the fruit and nut granola, the garden calzone, the spinach salad with citrus fruit and avocado, the root vegetable stew, beet carpaccio and more.

Moshav Yarkona

If you're in Jerusalem for the holiday, check out the kosher Scala restaurant, in the David Citadel Hotel. Order culinary delights from the regular menu, or try the array of special dishes cooked in the spirit of Tu Bishvat: Slow-cooked Lamb Osso Bucco, with pumpkin, black prunes and sweet spices; pan-seared chicken breast with thyme, onion marmalade and brandy, chestnuts and dates in a chicken stock; goose liver cutlet with caramelized green apples, chestnuts and moist dates; caramelized bananas with hazelnuts; and a chopped dried fruit salad in wine.

Go bananas for your favourite fruit

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:46:31 GMT

For banana fans, our taste.com.au website has constant traffic checking out recipes for the humble fruit. Banana bread and banana cake are both in the top 10 searches just about all year round. Sally Pearson is one such fan. The Olympic sprinter has been a banana-lover since she was a toddler and recalls coming home famished from her gym class.

"I used to do gymnastics, from when I was four years old until I was about eight, and I used to have really hard sessions and I'd come home and I'd eat about five bananas in a row, straight up," she says. "I'm not exaggerating at all."Since then, bananas have been on the menu for the Olympic gold medal winner.

"My coach says they are the athlete's food because they are the best things for us in between (meals) and in between training," she says. "They are one of the best foods because it is so good for you and easily digestible."

Sally sticks to a healthy diet that includes banana on cereals or in smoothies or straight out of their skin. At the moment she has a constant supply of banana bread, baked by a friend.

Mission Beach banana growers Naomi Brownrigg and her sister, Linda Sellers, are leading the pack in bringing bananas back after Cyclone Yasi wiped out 75 per cent of Australia's total supplies and have begun harvesting their first crop, which took 12 months to recover from the cyclone.

"They are fantastic for you. They are easy to eat. They are good for young people and old people and all the way through. A lot of people eat a banana a day for their heart because of the potassium. For babies it's a first food," Naomi says from the packing shed of the Sellers' 24ha property.

While harvest continues the whole year, prices at the end of 2012 should be great for consumers, says Banana Growers Council chairman and second-generation grower Doug Phillips.

"The first bunch of bananas I got back after Cyclone Larry, I ripened them up and got them in and my son was only about six or seven and he ate 11 bananas on the first day. It slowed him down after that," he says.
--

Shop Wise
THE most common banana varieties grown in Australia are the cavendish the Eco with its red-waxed tip is an organic form of cavendish and the lady finger.

Cavendish account for 90-95 per cent of the market and 80 per cent of that is grown in tropical Far North Queensland, where they grow big and fast. The remainder come from South-East Queensland, the NSW North Coast and Carnarvon in Western Australia.

Due to the cooler climate of the subtropics, bananas grow slower, develop a fuller sweeter flavour and tend to be smaller than those from the tropics. In a typical year, 23 million cartons of bananas are produced at 13kg a carton.

Coles has sold 5,513,923kg more than 5500 tonnes of bananas since Boxing Day and estimates have Australians eating 100 bananas a person each year.

Bananas are at their best in summer and autumn. Look closely for firm fruit that has unblemished skin. Store them at room temperature and keep out of direct sunlight. Keep bananas away from avocados, apples and other fruits that release ethylene gas, which accelerates ripening of other nearby fruits.

Bananas are high in natural fruit sugars, vitamins B6 and C, and potassium, and are fat-free.
--

Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Recipe: Michelle Southan, Gemma Purcell
Serves 8
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 60 minutes
Skills needed: Basic

You will need:

Melted butter, to grease
125g butter, at room temperature
315g (1 1/2 cups) caster sugar
1 1/4 cups mashed overripe banana (about 2 large bananas)
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
100ml buttermilk
225g (1 1/2 cups) self-raising flour
1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
1 banana, extra, to decorate
Fresh lemon juice, to brush
Cream-cheese frosting
125g cream cheese, at room temperature
50g unsalted butter
230g (1 1/2 cups) icing sugar mixture
1 1/2 tsp buttermilk
--

Preheat oven to 180C. Brush a round 20cm (base measure-ment) cake pan with melted butter to grease.
Line the base and side of the pan with non-stick baking paper.
Place the butter, sugar, banana, eggs and vanilla in the bowl of a food processor, and process for 2 minutes or until well combined.
Add the buttermilk and process until combined.
Add the flour and bicarbonate of soda, and process until just combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan. Shake the pan to settle the mixture.
Bake in oven for 1 hour or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Set aside in the pan for 10 minutes to cool slightly, before transferring the cake to a wire rack to cool completely.
Meanwhile, to make the cream cheese frosting, use an electric beater to beat the cream cheese and butter in a bowl until well combined.
Add the icing sugar and beat until well combined. Add the buttermilk and beat until the mixture is pale and creamy.
Place the cake on a serving plate. Spread the cream cheese frosting over the top of the cake.
Peel and thinly slice the extra banana.
Lightly brush 1 side of each slice of banana with lemon juice.
Arrange the banana slices, lemon juice side up, around the edge of the frosting to serve.
--
Blueberry Banana Bread

Serves 12 Preparation time: 25 minutes
Cooking time: 55 minutes
Skills needed: Basic-intermediate

You will need:

Melted butter, to grease
265g (1 3/4 cups) self-raising flour
40g ( 1/4 cup) plain flour
140g ( 2/3 cup, firmly packed) brown sugar
195g ( 3/4 cup) mashed overripe banana
125ml ( 1/2 cup) reduced-fat milk
2 eggs, lightly whisked
50g butter, melted, cooled
1 tsp vanilla essence
2 x 125g punnets blueberries
--

Preheat oven to 180C. Brush a 20 x 10cm (base measurement) loaf pan with melted butter to lightly grease.
Line the base and sides with non-stick baking paper.
Sift the combined flour into a large bowl. Stir in the sugar. Combine the banana, milk,
egg, butter and vanilla in a medium bowl.
Add the banana mixture and blueberries to the flour mixture and stir until just combined.
Spoon the mixture into the prepared pan and smooth the surface.
Bake in oven, covering with foil if necessary to prevent overbrowning, for 50-55 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean.
Set aside in the pan for 5 minutes to cool before turning on to a wire rack to cool completely.
Cut into slices and toast, if desired. Serve with lemon curd.
--
taste.com.au's Facebook friends share their favourite ways of cooking with bananas:

Anything with banana it is my favourite herb masquerading as a fruit.
Banoffee pie is great, choc, hazlenut and banana meringue. banana pancakes.
Or choco-coated frozen bananas
Rachel Summers

Bacon, banana and cheese open toasted sangas!
- Kylie Williams

Banana Surprise. Banana cut lengthways, Mars Bar in between, wrapped in foil, cook on campfire coals, and eat with a fork. So good.
- Nikki Paff

Dumplings, in an orange caramel sauce, in a deep frypan I experimented one night &
it was a HIT!! A dollop of whipped vanilla cream doesn't go astray either.
- Vince Koster

Banana and chocolate spring rolls with vanilla ice cream.
- Silvana Gutierrez