Produce Briefs...
White Corn
White corn is a sweet corn variety. Its ears are wrapped in tightly layered pale lime green to white husks. One ear of corn can contain up to 400 kernels growing in rows lengthwise.
Cantaloupe Melon
The cantaloupe is defined by two elements: its roughly netted stone and green colored skin and its aromatic orange-coral colored flesh. When perfectly ripe, the flesh is juicy, unctuous and sweet.
Seasons/Availability
Red bananas are available year round from Central and South America.
Current Facts
The red banana has several names, depending on its growing region, including the Red Spanish, Red Cuban, Colorado or Lal kela. It is a vigorous, highly resistant grower, producing bunches with up to one hundred fruits.
Description/Taste
Shorter, plumper and heartier than the average banana, this is considered the most delicious "alternative" banana variety available in the U.S. It has a maroon red thick peel with a creamy pink-salmon hued flesh when ripe. Its flavor is sweet and creamy with raspberry highlights.
Nutritional Value
The red banana has more beta carotene and vitamin C than the yellow banana varieties. Bananas also contain three natural sugars: sucrose, fructose, and glucose, making them a source of instant and sustainable energy.
Applications
Although a ripe red banana can be great for fresh-eating, this variety is preferred as a baking variety for both desserts and semi-savory dishes. Try sliced, sprinkled with warm spices and roasted. Try fried as you would plantains or cooked into a curry with lentils. Can be used in lieu of traditional bananas in baked recipes such as breads, muffins and cakes. To store keep at room temperature until ready to use.
Geography/History
Originating in India and southern Asia, red bananas also grow in other banana-friendly growing regions within the tropics and subtropics. Rare red varieties flourish in Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the Pacific Islands. Producing bright red foliage, red banana plants are a vivid landscape visual, growing semi-wild along roadsides in tropical countries.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Red Bananas. One
is easiest, three is harder.
Red bananas are available year round from Central and South America.
Current Facts
The red banana has several names, depending on its growing region, including the Red Spanish, Red Cuban, Colorado or Lal kela. It is a vigorous, highly resistant grower, producing bunches with up to one hundred fruits.
Description/Taste
Shorter, plumper and heartier than the average banana, this is considered the most delicious "alternative" banana variety available in the U.S. It has a maroon red thick peel with a creamy pink-salmon hued flesh when ripe. Its flavor is sweet and creamy with raspberry highlights.
Nutritional Value
The red banana has more beta carotene and vitamin C than the yellow banana varieties. Bananas also contain three natural sugars: sucrose, fructose, and glucose, making them a source of instant and sustainable energy.
Applications
Although a ripe red banana can be great for fresh-eating, this variety is preferred as a baking variety for both desserts and semi-savory dishes. Try sliced, sprinkled with warm spices and roasted. Try fried as you would plantains or cooked into a curry with lentils. Can be used in lieu of traditional bananas in baked recipes such as breads, muffins and cakes. To store keep at room temperature until ready to use.
Geography/History
Originating in India and southern Asia, red bananas also grow in other banana-friendly growing regions within the tropics and subtropics. Rare red varieties flourish in Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the Pacific Islands. Producing bright red foliage, red banana plants are a vivid landscape visual, growing semi-wild along roadsides in tropical countries.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Red Bananas. One
is easiest, three is harder.
