Banana is a super nutritious food. It’s loaded with energy-giving carbohydrates and minerals like potassium. And the skin is also a food that can be used.
The banana is a delicious and very nutritious fruit, which is also very comfortable, because you can take it anywhere to peel it and eat it whenever you want. But, attention, surely until now you through the skin in the first organic garbage container you came across. Don’t do it.
The next time you make a smoothie or bake a banana bread, stop before peeling it: save yourself a step in the preparation and introduce more nutrients into your diet. Yes, banana peel can be eaten and possesses beneficial properties.
The peel, peel or banana peel, especially if it is green, is hard and bitter, so it usually ends up in the trash. To make it pleasant you have to prepare it in the right way.
PROPERTIES AND BENEFITS OF BANANA PEEL
Banana peel is digestive fiber in 70-83%. This amount of fiber produces a feeling of satiety, which prevents the consumption of excess calories, and promotes health through its effect on intestinal transit and the state of the microbiota.
- Prevents constipation.
- Stabilizes blood sugar (glucose) levels.
- Reduces bad LDL cholesterol.
- It improves the condition of the intestinal mucosa, which reduces inflammation and regulates immunity.
- Banana peel also contains potassium, polyphenols, carotenes and other phytochemicals with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. According to the study published in the journal Applied biochemistry and biotechnology, the antioxidant content decreases as the banana ripens.
- By the way, if you are going to take advantage of banana peel, when eating the pulp do not go to discard the white threads, which are also loaded with beneficial nutrients.
3 RECIPES WITH BANANA PEEL
All banana skins can be eaten, but keep in mind that those of the ripe pieces are thinner and sweeter.
The first thing to do is wash the skin thoroughly, as is done with any fruit that does not peel. This is especially important if the banana is not organic because conventional crops use a lot of pesticides. For this reason, and because the nutritional quality of bananas is higher, it is always advisable to choose organic products.
Banana peel can be used as an ingredient in fruit and vegetable smoothies and even in main dishes. Let’s look at some simple preparations.
BANANA BREAD
In this recipe you don’t even need to peel the banana. Cut the thick stem and the opposite hard end, throw them away, and then keep cutting the banana into slices. Put the slices in the blender or food processor and continue with the usual banana bread recipe.
If the banana is not very ripe, you can peel it and cook the skin for 20 minutes before putting it in the blender.
SMOOTHIE WITH BANANA PEEL
Cut the banana into slices as in the previous recipe. You can add two or three slices as-is to the blender along with other fruits, juices and vegetables to prepare your breakfast smoothie. You can also freeze a few slices to have them ready every morning.
VEGAN BANANASKIN BACON
The grilled banana peel acquires a texture similar to bacon. You just have to marinate the skins for half an hour in a mixture of water, soy sauce, sweet paprika and crushed garlic. Then put them in the pan or griddle with a little olive oil for 10 minutes or more. You can eat it as it is or use it to prepare a Bolognese sauce, for example.
KIWI AND ORANGE PEELS ARE ALSO EATEN
By the way, kiwi skin and white orange skin can also be eaten. Well, actually, the orange peel can also be used: cut it into thin strips, let it dry and crush it. This powder can be used to flavor all kinds of recipes. Fresh zest is also used in desserts.
The next time you go to throw away a banana peel, remember that it represents 35% of the weight of the fruit, that you have paid for it, that you can reduce food waste and become a champion of zero waste.
If we haven’t convinced you to eat the banana peel, don’t throw it away yet: you can crush it and mix it with the soil to fertilize the plants.
