Banana Peel Bacon

Ingredients

• 2 very ripe, organic, bananas  very important that bananas are yellow with brown spots
• 3 Tbsp tamari sauce
• 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 Tbsp maple syrup
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp white pepper
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 Tbsp olive oil for cooking the peels

Method

1. Wash the peels of the bananas well, pat them dry and then peel them into 4 pieces.
2. Gently scrape out the flesh of the banana peels with a spoon.
3. Make the marinade with the rest of the ingredients (excluding the olive oil). Transfer the banana peels to the marinade ensuring they are all well coated and set aside to marinate for at least 15 minutes, but as long as a couple of hours.
4. Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat, then add the marinaded banana peels and let them “fry” for about 2 minutes per side or until they start to bubble up a little. Keep a close eye on them as the maple syrup can caramelize and burn/smoke.
5. Remove the peels once done and let them cool on a wire rack to let them crisp up.

Notes & Tips

• It’s important for the banana peels to be very ripe, bright yellow with a few brown spots, this makes them sweeter and the peels more flavourful.
• Save the marinade for up to a week in the refrigerator and whip up more banana peel bacon as you go.