Tuesday, 2 April 2013

A to Z 2013: Bananas

For the month of April I will be blogging alphabetically with the theme of Winnipeg versus Davao City. Not to prove a winner but simply to explore the differences and similarities between my home town and my current location.
B is for Banana!

Bananas!

If this were a competition, Davao would win. This is where bananas come from. Yes, of course other countries grow them as well but Canada is not one of those countries. In Winnipeg, you can pretty much always get bananas but they are usually just Cavendish. Sometimes you can find a few Senoritas or plantains but they cost a bit more.

In Davao, Cavendish are the pricey ones.
Far more flavourful are smaller varieties that I'd never seen anywhere else.

Lacatan are probably the most common in Davao.
We found Latundan to be a bit drier and less tasty.
Saba are the cooking variety here. Haven't seen plantains.
And my favourite...
SnortaHands!!!

P.S. Dole owns all the bananas. I got to visit a women's prison a few months back and if you were really lucky you got to work on the surrounding plantation. Best way to earn a few bucks since your prison stay is NOT free.

P.P.S. In case you are wondering, PHP 42/kg is about CDN 0.50/lb.

 
Posted by at 01:00
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23 comments:

  1. UnknownTuesday, 2 April 2013 at 01:44:00 GMT-5

    Everything I needed to know about Canadian Bananas:-) I Like your pictures.

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    1. BonnieTuesday, 2 April 2013 at 02:06:00 GMT-5

      Thank you! Yeah, not much on bananas in Canada. :P

      Delete
  2. Elise FallsonTuesday, 2 April 2013 at 08:29:00 GMT-5

    First time I've seen Saba bananas. Now I've got part of the song Hollaback Girl stuck in my head where she spells out 'bananas.' :D

    A-Z participant blogging from Elise Fallson

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    1. BonnieTuesday, 2 April 2013 at 19:40:00 GMT-5

      I had seen saba for sale in some of the Asian import stores back in Winnipeg. They are out there!

      Delete
  3. Dee @ A Deecoded LifeTuesday, 2 April 2013 at 10:44:00 GMT-5

    I'm intrigued by your blog because I've been to Davao. My hometown was also in Mindanao. :)
    Will definitely be looking forward to your next posts. :)

    A-Z Challenger, Deecoded

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    1. BonnieTuesday, 2 April 2013 at 19:52:00 GMT-5

      Grabi! Maayong Kaayo!

      I'll have to follow your blog, too. :)

      Delete
    2. Dee @ A Deecoded LifeTuesday, 2 April 2013 at 20:35:00 GMT-5

      Hahahaha you know bisaya now! I am actually bisaya myself, and I have relatives in Davao. Thanks for dropping by my blog, will be back in yours in the next days. :)

      Delete
  4. Susan Gourley/KelleyTuesday, 2 April 2013 at 12:32:00 GMT-5

    I didn't know how much I didn't know about bananas.

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  5. Guilie CastilloTuesday, 2 April 2013 at 14:25:00 GMT-5

    I looooooove stuff like this! Last year my theme for A-Z was similar; an exploration of culture clashes between Curaçao (my current place of resident) and...well, the rest of the world, basically :D Lots of fun! I'm adding you to my reader to make sure I don't miss any of your posts. So good to meet you!

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    1. BonnieTuesday, 2 April 2013 at 20:03:00 GMT-5

      I'm following your blog now, too. :) We went to Curacao for our honeymoon so I look forward to reading more about it!

      Delete
  6. Claire HennessyTuesday, 2 April 2013 at 14:29:00 GMT-5

    I love banana flavour and smell, but strangely do not particularly like the texture of actual bananas!

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    1. BonnieTuesday, 2 April 2013 at 20:04:00 GMT-5

      I eat them mostly on my cereal. Helps to disguise the texture!

      Delete
  7. Cassmob (Pauleen)Tuesday, 2 April 2013 at 18:35:00 GMT-5

    I use bananas every day in my smoothies...yum. Of course different varieties are more resistant to disease as well. Have you tried frying the bananas in butter until they get a crisp skin. I think your favourites would do well this way and maybe even the drier Latundan. It's important the banana itself doesn't get tooooo soft.

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    1. BonnieTuesday, 2 April 2013 at 20:05:00 GMT-5

      I have done bananas fried in amaretto on ice cream. And we get Banana Q's here some times. (Bananas on a stick fried and sugar coated.) I should have added that into the post!

      Delete
  8. RachelTuesday, 2 April 2013 at 19:05:00 GMT-5

    I honestly had no idea there were so many types of bananas. I don't really eat them. Sometimes I really love them, but most of the time, I'd just rather not eat them.

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    1. BonnieTuesday, 2 April 2013 at 20:06:00 GMT-5

      That is funny! I used to be like that but now with all the different kinds I don't get tired of them as easily. :)

      Delete
  9. JoWednesday, 3 April 2013 at 06:47:00 GMT-5

    I didn't know some of those bananas. I am familiar with plantains and have used them in cooking, also the little red bananas - can't remember what they are called. But, as far as I know, we only get one eating banana here in Ontario.

    Prison isn't free, way to go Philippines. Why should we pay to keep prisoners.

    JO ON FOOD, MY TRAVELS AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE

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    1. BonnieWednesday, 3 April 2013 at 07:07:00 GMT-5

      I forgot about the red bananas! I have not seen them here.

      The prison system definitely could use some work. I have a few friends working in the system, trying to make positive change. :)

      Delete
  10. LaurieWednesday, 3 April 2013 at 19:36:00 GMT-5

    I'd never seen a Saba before. Interesting.

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  11. UnknownWednesday, 3 April 2013 at 22:23:00 GMT-5

    Seriously, I have never seen a Latundan or a Saba! Thank you for teaching me something new!
    Connie #133
    A to Z Challenge.
    Peanut Butter and Whine

    ReplyDelete

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