h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Excellent article on bananas and plantains - in the West Indies (and probably elsewhere) plantains are sliced and deep fried as a potato chip/french fries substitute.

Black bananas inedible? not in my house! They are delicious, if very messy.

Unpeeled 'nanas do well on a barbie.

Peeled ones do well in a microwave - make a groove in the top of the banana with a spoon, sprinkle in soem fine sugar, then microwave until the banana starts to go translucent and the sugar melts - this only takes a few moments) - add cream, cinnamon, rum to taste. Eat carefully, 'cos the little beggar is very hot!

I've had fried bananas in Jamaica. To my surprise, I discovered I didn't really like them. I'm not sure whether it was the texture or the taste. Maybe it's because one time I ate some banana chips while drinking, then got sick. Now I get a twinge when I think of them.

Now the black-skinned bananas are just very, very ripe - perfect for throwing in a blender with some rum, if you know what I mean. The black bruised parts of the banana itself are gross and slimy, and I wouldn't recommend eating that part.

The microwave recipe appears in many forms - I've seen bananas with chocolate, some with cream, heated with peanut butter and spread on toast - they're very versatile! I like the idea of the banana-boat with rum and cream in it... Yum!

I had thought, in my culinary ignorance, that I had invented a whole new cuisine when I started experimenting with bananas in microwaves. Unbeknown to me, this secret world of bananas was known to millions. Presumably it has been passed down through generations in some sort of Masonic ceremony!