Welcome to Prairie Fox Survival! I'm Richard, and today I’m excited to share a fantastic way to preserve bananas, a versatile and nutritious fruit. Recently, I took advantage of a great Thanksgiving sale, where bananas were just 22 cents a pound. I bought about 20 pounds and experimented with dehydrating and canning them.
Dehydrating Bananas
Dehydrating bananas is a great way to extend their shelf life and create a convenient snack. Here’s how I did it:
Peel and Slice: Peel the bananas and slice them into even pieces.
Dehydrate: Place the banana slices in a dehydrator or a low-temperature oven. Make sure the pieces are evenly spaced for consistent drying.
Store: Once fully dehydrated, store the bananas in airtight containers to keep them fresh.
Canning Bananas
Canning is another excellent method to preserve bananas. Here’s a step-by-step process:
Preparation: Let the bananas ripen fully. Peel them and cut them into chunks.
Puree: Place the banana chunks into a blender and puree them. This will be the base for various recipes like banana nut bread and banana nut cookies.
Citric Acid Addition: Add a tablespoon of lemon juice to the puree. This acts as a preservative.
Sterilize Jars: Boil the canning jars to sterilize them. You can also use the sterilization cycle on a dishwasher.
Fill Jars: Pour the banana puree into the jars, leaving about 1/4 inch of space at the top. Make sure the jars are clean before sealing them.
Water Bath: Place the jars in a pot of boiling water, ensuring they are fully submerged. Boil for 12 minutes to process.
Cool and Store: Let the jars cool. Once sealed, they can be stored for up to a year or more. You may notice some discoloration or liquid separation over time, but this is normal and safe.
Tips and Tricks
Handling Hot Jars: Use tools like jar lifters or heat-resistant gloves to handle hot jars. Safety first!
Boiling Water: Ensure your jars are fully submerged with about an inch of water above them. If a jar floats, place a weight on top to keep it submerged.
Checking Seals: After the jars cool, check the seals. If any jars didn’t seal properly, refrigerate and use them soon
.Practical Uses
Canned bananas are incredibly versatile. Each pint jar contains two cups of puree, perfect for making a loaf of banana nut bread. They are also a great addition to your survival kit. A sealed jar of banana puree can serve as both food and a makeshift bobber for fishing.
Final Thoughts
Thank you for joining us at Prairie Fox Survival. Whether you're a survival enthusiast or just looking to make the most of a banana sale, these methods will help you preserve your food efficiently. Stay tuned for more tips and tricks on sustainable living and food preservation. See you next time!
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