Burro Bananas

Fresh from the tropics, a rare selection of the finest “hands” of bananas make up this assortment, which may include the following varieties:

• Baby Bananas, which are snack-sized and have a sweet flavor, with a hint of cinnamon aftertaste.
• The creamy, sweet, chunky shaped Burro Bananas have a slight taste of lemon.
• The Red Bananas are creamy white to pink fleshed and flavored with a hint of raspberry blended with notes of vanilla.
• Manzano Bananas, with their stubby looking fingers, have a sweet taste with flavors of gourmet apples and tones of strawberries.
• Plantains, known as “cooking bananas” have the best texture and flavor for sautéeing and are popular when served battered and deep fried.

Bananas are revered as one of the world’s divine foods. You have never experienced bananas like this small, red variety unless you’ve visited Ecuador or Central America. They are smaller in size than the common Cavendish banana and have a creamy white to pink flesh, with a slight raspberry flavor. They can be sliced and dried or eaten raw in salads, but are usually eaten fresh out of hand.

Red Bananas, when ripe, should have a purplish hue. Choose slightly firm Red Bananas and avoid bruises or cracks. Store Red Bananas uncovered at room temperature. Turn occasionally. To prepare for frying, simply cut off ends and peel. Season with fresh herbs from Melissa’s.

Peel and enjoy raw, eaten out of hand. Slice and add to fruit salads, fry, or leave whole for decorative use.

ananas are low in sodium, high in potassium, and contains approximately 6 vitamins and 11 other minerals!

The banana is many times considered nature’s perfect food because it offers so many health benefits. It is low in sodium, high in potassium, and contains approximately 6 vitamins and 11 other minerals!

The common banana, or the Cavendish Banana, is native to tropical countries like Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The banana is truly popular worldwide.

This can be served in a multitude of different ways in breakfast items like cereal, pancakes, and waffles; chilled fruit juice, fruit salads, desserts, and even poultry or meats.

Melissa’s Organic Bananas are hand-selected for excellent quality. As is true with most bananas, the Organic Banana is harvested green and then allowed to ripen while transported to its destination.

Avoid bananas with split skins. Bananas with brown or black spotted peels only indicate ripeness, while the fruit itself remains unchanged. Store at room temperature. Once ripe, bananas may be refrigerated for a few days.

Considered a food staple around the world, there are over 300 varieties of bananas worldwide. Baby Bananas, although somewhat smaller than the most popular yellow Cavendish banana, are actually sweeter. Native to tropical and sub-tropical areas like Central and South America, the Caribbean and Mexico, small crops are also grown in California and Florida.

Widely used in Latin American, African and Asian and Pacific Rim cuisine, Melissa’s Baby Bananas (available in 15 pound units) are amazingly versatile. Shaped like miniature slender bananas, this small, crunchy specialty banana is usually eaten out of hand or sliced raw for use in fruit salads. Peeled Baby Bananas can also be left whole and gently baked or flambeed with brown sugar, brandy or rum. Baby Bananas should not be confused with Manzanos, which are a somewhat different shape and not as sweet.

Peel and leave whole for decorative use. Slice and add to fruit salads.