Introduction – Banana Peel Bacon
Banana peel bacon is a new idea that might help you reduce your carbon footprint while enjoying a delicious and satisfying meal. It is a vegan alternative to pork bacon that uses the peels of ripe bananas as the main ingredient.
You might be wondering how banana peels can taste like bacon, and whether they are safe to eat. The answer is yes, they are edible, and with some simple preparation and seasoning, they can mimic the texture and flavor of bacon quite well.
Banana Peels – A Unique Taste
Banana peels are usually discarded as waste, but they are actually rich in fiber, potassium, antioxidants, and other nutrients. They also have a chewy and slightly bitter taste that can be transformed into a crispy and smoky treat with some frying and marinating.
By using banana peels instead of pork, you can avoid the negative health effects of consuming too much saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium from animal products.
Banana Peels – Environmental Benefits
But the benefits of banana peel bacon are not only for your health. They are also for the environment. Pork production is one of the major sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the agriculture sector, contributing to global warming and climate change.
According to a report by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), pork production accounted for 3.8% of the total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2006.
Most of these emissions came from manure management, feed production, and enteric fermentation (the digestive process of pigs).
Pork Requires Intense Resources To Farm
Pork production also requires a lot of land, water, and energy resources, which have negative impacts on biodiversity, soil quality, water availability, and air pollution.
According to a report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), livestock production occupies 70% of all agricultural land and 30% of the ice-free surface of the planet2.
It also uses 8% of the global water supply and 33% of the global arable land.
Banana Peel Carbon Intensity Is Much Lower Than For Pork
By contrast, banana peel bacon has a much lower carbon footprint than pork bacon. Bananas are one of the most widely consumed fruits in the world, and their production is relatively efficient and sustainable compared to other crops.
According to a study by researchers from Sweden and Colombia, the carbon footprint of bananas is about 0.48 kg of CO2 equivalent per kg of fruit.
ShrinkThatFootprint maintains a database of carbon intensities for fruit where bananas are noted to be about 0.34 kg CO2 per kg. In contrast, consulting our database for carbon intensities of meat shows pork to be 10 times higher at 5 kg CO2 per kg of food.
This means that one kg of bananas (about 5-6 fruits) produces less greenhouse gas emissions than one kg of pork (about 2-3 slices of bacon).
One Third Of Food Is Lost To Waste
Moreover, by using the peels of bananas that would otherwise be thrown away, you can reduce food waste and save money.
According to the FAO, about one-third of all food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted globally.
This amounts to about 1.3 billion tons of food per year, which has a huge environmental impact in terms of land use, water use, energy use, and greenhouse gas emissions.
By finding creative ways to use food scraps, such as banana peel bacon, you can help reduce this problem and make the most out of your food.
Recipe – How To Make Banana Peel Bacon
To make banana peel bacon at home, you will need the following ingredients:
- 3-4 ripe bananas (the riper the better)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
The steps are as follows:
- Peel the bananas and cut off both ends. Cut each peel into four long strips.
- Use a spoon to scrape off the white part inside the peel, leaving only the yellow part.
- In a shallow dish, whisk together the soy sauce, maple syrup, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.
- Add the banana peel strips and toss to coat them with the marinade. Let them marinate for at least 10 minutes or up to a few hours in the refrigerator.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the banana peel strips for about 2 minutes per side or until golden and crisp.
- Transfer the fried strips to the prepared baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes.
- Flip the strips over and brush them with any remaining marinade. Bake for another 5 minutes or until crisp.
- Let them cool slightly before serving or storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
You can enjoy your banana peel bacon with any dish that you like, such as eggs, toast, pancakes, salads, sandwiches, or pasta. You will be surprised by how good it tastes and how good it makes you feel.
Safety
When considering the culinary use of banana peel, prioritize safety to ensure a wholesome and pleasant experience.
Especially when sourced from non-organic farms, banana peels might carry pesticide residues or other chemicals applied during the cultivation and transportation processes.
Before consumption or culinary experimentation, wash the peels thoroughly under running water, scrubbing gently with a brush to remove any potential contaminants.
Organic bananas, while often having fewer pesticides, should still be washed to eliminate dirt and potential microbial presence.
When trying banana peels for the first time, it’s wise to consume a small quantity initially to check for any individual allergic reactions or sensitivities.
Conclusions – Banana Peel Bacon
We hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new about banana peel bacon. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us through our website or social media channels.
We would love to hear from you and your experiences with banana peel bacon. Thank you for reading and have a great day!
