Puré de Guineo Verde (Green Banana Mash)

This is a good replacement for the standard mashed potatoes, just giving ya some options, you see?

The Hubbz was really surprised by these. He expected them to be heavier somehow. The trick with these is to get the bananas just before you use them, they go ripe pretty quick, so timing is everything. There is no need for a recipe here. Pretty easy stuff.

Green Banana Mash

Green bananas
Butter
Bacon, cooked & crumbled (reserve some of the fat)
Milk
Salt & black pepper

Similar to green plantains, if you soak these in water for a few minutes, peeling them will be a breeze. So trim the ends, score it along the sides a few times and let them soak in cool water for 15 minutes or so. Mind the sap, though. It will stain your hands and clothes.

Once you peel the bananas, cut them into rounds, drop them into a pot filled with water, add salt and bring it to a boil. It will take about 12 minutes to cook them to fork-tender.

Drain the bananas, in the same pot, add milk and, if you're not opposed to it, use some of that bacon fat, it adds amazing flavor--1 or 2 tablespoons will do. I usually do 1/2 butter 1/2 bacon fat. Return the bananas to the pot and mash away. Adjust the seasoning with salt & pepper. Mix in 2/3 of the crumbled bacon and top with some as you serve it.

That's it. You're done!

For extra shots, check out the photostream.

Cookingly yours,
Anamaris

Other recipes by Anamaris:
Tamales
Pescado a la Caribeña
Puerco en Salsa Verde (Pork in Green Sauce)
Sopa de Arroz con Pollo
A Tale of Two Rice Recipes
Cod in Creamy al Ajillo Sauce
Arroz con Coco (Coconut Rice)
Panamanian Pasta: Johnny Mazzetti
Sopa de Res con Arvejas (Split Pea and Beef Soup)
Yuca Delights: With Mojo or Spicy Mayo-Ketchup
Chuletas Guisadas (Stewed Pork Chops)