Almost Banana Bread

I almost can't wait for these to be ready to mash. I want my kitchen to fill with that sweet, cinnamon-y fug of banana bread. I should put them in a brown bag or something, I think? Can't remember. By the way, I did try your suggestions of freezing peeled, overripe bananas, but when I was ready to bake banana bread and thawed them they basically turned to brown water? I must have messed something up there. Maybe they were too overripe. Anyway, these bananas will be bread by Friday, I think. Can't wait. (*Update: Next time freeze nanners with peels on. Noted! Thx guys!!!)

Thank you for the birdie kit orders! I really appreciate those so very much, I can't even tell you. Thank you! Orders will stay open through the weekend, so there is time. I have been busy busy busy and am seriously behind on answering email and letters — I am going to try very hard to get all caught up and organized this week, if I owe you a reply. I get worse and worse at this. Andy (and Clover) is actually going to put birdie kits together for me. It's a great deal on labor: I feed them banana bread/kibble, they work for free, and they never complain. Well, one of them doesn't. Won't say which one. The cute one. (See, I told you I wouldn't say.) My book deadline is in eight weeks, and I have three more projects to design and stitch, and about fifteen to finish off or frame, fifteen more patterns to write. And about a million templates to draw. But then I'm done!

Then I want to be a gardener. Like Margaret. Well, I could never hope to be like Margaret, but I'd settle for being able to produce a couple of lettuce leaves and green onion or two, actually. It's been fifteen years since I've grown a vegetable (besides herbs). I'm excited.

If I can just find some sun. I'm watching the way the sun hits the backyard throughout the day, trying to figure out if building raised beds in the back driveway (which we don't use) will work for a vegetable garden. We don't have a single spot in our backyard that gets full sun, it seems. The only part of the property that really does get full sun is the parking strip — but then you have to worry about car exhaust and dog pee (from the neighborhood canine crew) getting all over your veggies. And I'll just leave you with that image. 'Cause I'm stuck there.

Comments

[Evan]

Oh! If you have other fruit sitting around (especially apples) sit the 'nanners next to or on top of them! The gasses released by other fruit makes bananas brown faster. :)

[Nicole Simmons]

when i freeze mine i keep them with the peel...they are pretty mushy and gross when they thaw, but they work great!

i miss oregon...just thinking of your little house in portland makes me want to go home!

[Freckled Hen]

The same thing happened to me when I froze brown bananas.
Gardening to me is much like sewing, it is actual work but of the best kind. We have lived in places with tiny yards and places with lots of acres, it's always exciting to see your harvest, no matter how big or small. Dog pee on lettuce is gross, or any pee for that matter!

[jamieofalltrades]

I love banana bread! I do the frozen brown banana thing too. I let them thaw a little bit but not all the way. They are sort of watery but it works.

[Sharon]

Yep, we have the same problem with sun in our yard. My solution this year is to get into the commuinty garden at a local church. They have an abundance of space (and sun exposure) and offer plots & water for FREE! I can't wait!

[Natalie]

My frozen bananas go into the blender for smoothies. Sit your bananas next to the apples and the (bananas) will ripen faster.
If I visit Margaret's blog will I have garden envy? I really, really miss having a garden. I will enjoy following your journey in to the veggie aisle!

[jenn nahrstadt]

i SO hope you didn't throw the frozen/thawed banana "water" away! mine are like that ALL the time, and the banana bread turns out absolutely FINE! next time, don't despair--proceed to wonderful banana bread land!

[Lisa A]

They still work just fine mushy and watery. I used to work for a woman who would leave them in the refrigerator until they were unrecognizable as bananas. But her bread was really good and moist.

[Melissa]

Yes, I wouldn't suggest freezing chopped up pieces of ripe banana... Really, the only way I've done it is just toss the bunch in the freezer.

On another baking note, I found a recipe once that had baby-food prunes in the brownies. You couldn't taste them, but they were SO moist!

[Tracey]

They do look ugly when they come out of the freezer. I'm not sure why but every time I use them they make me think: "banana liquor" . I think it's because they look fermented. Never mind, its non-alcoholic goodness!

[Mal*]

I freeze them in their peels, then thaw them when ready to use them. The peels come off really easily and the mushy mess is just right for bread.

[Stephanie]

I want a garden so bad! Can't wait until I have my own little yard.

[Delilah]

I freeze my brown bananas with the skin on them, let them thaw, take the skins off and then mash them and they aren't watery. You might try that.

I wish we could have a garden too . . . but the only place in our yard that has 12 hours of sun that is needed for what I want to grow is the front yard . . . then we would have the same dog problem too.

Alicia I forgot to thank you for the book plate. Thank you.

[Laura GF]

Ditto Nicole, Melissa, Mal and Delilah -- you've got to freeze them in their skins. I can't believe the first time I'm commenting on your wonderful site is on the topic of preserving old fruit for future use :)

[Margaret Roach]

When I grow up (and get past my book deadline, which is in 8 mos. not 8 weeks), I want to be like you: Someone who didn't stitch her Home Ec sewing project to the skirt she was wearing in junior high. (Yes, true...stood up at the end of class and oops! guess I am wearing said project to the next period, how awkward).

There is a bag of bananas (yes, brown bag....an apple in it speeds the process) on my counter, for the next batch of millet/whole wheat/banana breakfast muffins. A staple here.

I might trade gardening lessons for your banana bread, however. Deal?

[amy b.]

I have plenty of yard with full sun I would be happy to "share" with you - alas, I live in Berkeley! Also, it occurs to me the sun's orientation will change with the seasons, so you may get more sunlight at a different angle in late spring, summer. I think the sun's arc of travel will be higher in the sky. Check the almanac? (A crazy old-fashioned, still in use method . . .)

[Megan]

Oh, I never thought about freezing bananas - what a great idea. Thanks!

[Candylei]

Your picture of Clover's nose on the textiles is SO CUTE. I see a something similar every day at home, too, with out own doggy boy. All the best

[Deanne]

Have you read the book Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew. It doesn't take much space to have a generouse harvest. I've found the method easy, light on weeding (hooray!), and best of very sucessful come harvest time.

[Shelley (Pink House)]

Gardening - you can also do some plants in big pots. Not as much fun of course. But I've had success with tomatoes, herbs, and even a yellow squash plant in large pots. I used to have a huge garden and miss it.

[SooDarwin]

Just wondering if you could rig up some sort of pot system for the vegies that can be wheeled around to follow the sun. x

[lilyhaven]

Nothings better than homemade banana bread.

And, yes, I freeze my ripe bananas with the peels on. ;)

[Pony Girl Rides Again]

I can't eat a banana when it starts to get ripe. I will only eat them at a certain ripeness. I'm very particular. So if they go bad, I have to either cut them up on cereal or make banana bread. A week ago I made banana muffins and added chocolate chips. Right out of the oven, they were divine! ;)

[Chrisy]

Great mental picture you left us with! Maybe you could put in some planter boxes where it's sunny...wouldn't have to worry about the dog...

[Leigh]

I've made your banana bread a number of times now and love it! I tried to freeze bananas too and it didn't work for me either.