So much for compost – organic banana peels are ideal as a vegan pulled pork substitute, among other things.
Blogger and TV chefs such as Jana Pinheiro (Brazilian food blogger) and Julien Solomita (American vlogging YouTuber) are paving the way. Organic banana peels have already been eaten in countries such as India for a long time. While the pulp of the banana is soft and sweet, the peel surrounding it is thick, stringy and somewhat bitter. The rule of thumb here is: the riper the banana, the thinner and sweeter the peel.

Image: nataliazakharova – stock.adobe.com
Versatile use
Can be used as a vegan pulled pork substitute, for banana tea, banana vinegar, banana smoothies, banana peel chutney, fried banana peels as a side dish, and much more.
Rich in nutrients
Rich in vitamin B12, potassium, magnesium, vitamins A, B (particularly B6), C and K, niacin, folic acid, phosphorus and many important amino acids.
A vegan alternative
Preparation: Wash the banana. Scrape out the inside of the peel with a spoon to remove the remaining pulp. With a knife or the prongs of a fork, break the peel up into “strings”. Stew together with onions and garlic for 8 – 10 minutes.
Fake meat – with the feel of real meat!
The new hype for vegetarians and vegans comes from the tropics: jackfruit wins over the palate as a meat substitute.
When ripe, usually in canned or frozen form, it can only be used as a sweet fruit. Unlike other substitute products, the unripe fruit simulates the feel of real meat, with a texture reminiscent of pulled pork or chicken, depending on how it is prepared. It is nutrient-rich, gluten-free and is never effected by genetic engineering. The disadvantage? Jackfruit grows in the tropics and is processed there, which means it has a significant CO2 footprint.

Image: Gulnara – stock.adobe.com
An all-rounder
The seeds are also used, either dried and ground into flour or roasted to add to savory dishes.
Allergy free
Jackfruit is superior to all other meat substitutes: It contains no allergens and is low in calories and fat.
How it works
The unripe, fibrous pulp is almost tasteless and can be marinated and fried in a pan with oil. With a little smoked salt you can create a deceptively meaty taste which seems real. Unlike tofu, it completely absorbs the taste of the marinade.