"Minatamis na Saging" (Boiled Bananas in Sweet Syrup)

A banana is a plant, not a tree, though strictly an herb. The term banana is also applied to the elongated fruit, technically a false berry, which grows in edible species and varieties, in hanging clusters, several to many fruits to a tier, called a ‘hand’, many tiers to a bunch. The total of hanging clusters is called a 'stem' in the commercial world. Grown in the warm and humid tropics, bananas are picked and shipped green. Contrary to nature’s norm, they are one fruit that develops better flavor when ripened off the bush.

For two days now, I’ve been frying bananas for snack, plantain bananas to be exact. It’s one of the fruits that my Little One really likes! There’s still a bunch of it left lying on the kitchen table. This time, I want to cook it differently. I was aiming for “turon” (sweetened banana rolls) but wasn’t in the mood for all the fuss in preparing it. The easiest way I can think of to cook it besides frying, is to just boil it in syrup. And still, my kiddo loves it! He almost ate all the bananas I cooked! Can you believe that?!! Imagine, this recipe is good for 3-5 servings.

Ingredients:

• 10 pcs (about 3/4 kg) ripe plantain bananas (saging na saba)
• 2 cups of water
• 2 pandan leaves, tied in a knot
• 2/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 2-3 drops of banana flavoring (optional)

Here’s how:

Peel the bananas. Cut into three diagonally. Put in a thick bottom casserole. Add water and pandan leaves. Cover. Place over medium-high fire. Bring to boil. Reduce fire to medium. Cook for 8-10 minutes or until tender. Put brown sugar. Mix. Cover again. Cook for another 2-3 minutes or until it boils again. Remove from pan. Drizzle with banana flavoring.

Let it cool. Serve.