Bananos calados can be translated as soaked bananas. No, it doesn’t sound very appealing but is actually one of the most delicious fried banana desserts you’ll ever try.
Read on to learn the history of this Colombian dessert and how to make it at home with just a few simple ingredients.
History of Bananos Calados
Colombia is a land of diverse climates, landscapes, and cultures. Colombian cuisine is as diverse as the country’s 32 regions which are called departments. The traditional dishes vary from department to department.
Because Colombia is a fertile land, the country produces a wide range of food. Dishes with beans, potatoes, chicken, corn and fresh fruits and vegetables are extremely common. In Colombia, there are fruits you may never even have heard of such as granadilla, lulo, mamoncillo, cherimoya, uchuva, and curuba.
Bananos calados come from the department of Quindio. This department is in the western central region of Colombia. It is crossed by the Andes mountains and famous for its coffee plantations, mild weather, tourist attractions, and colorful architecture.
Many of the food dishes in Colombia use plantains, corn, and coffee. Bananos calados is one of those recipes. You can use either bananas or plantains to create this fried banana recipe.
Now, here’s what you’ve been waiting for: the recipe.
Bananos Calados Recipe
Bananos calados is best served warm. It goes great with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. Yum!
For this fried banana recipe you will need the following
Ingredients:
- 8 tablespoons of melted butter
- 1 tablespoon of lime zest
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 8 Bananas
Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. Spray a pyrex dish with cooking spray, set aside.
3. Mix the first 4 ingredients together in a bowl.
4. Pour half of the mixture into the Pyrex.
5. Peel the bananas and place them in the Pyrex dish.
6. Pour the remaining mixture over the bananas. Use a brush for best coverage.
7. Place the dish in the oven until the bananas turn golden brown (20-30 minutes).
Serve with ice cream, yogurt or cold milk.
Alternate Bananos Calados Recipe
Here’s another variation on this Colombian fried bananas dessert that is cooked on the stove. You will need these ingredients:
- 4 small yellow bananas without spots
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 4 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh orange zest
- ½ cup fresh orange juice
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 cinnamon stick
First, cut the bananas in half crosswise. Heat a large pan over medium heat. Add in the butter and cook for one minute.
Next, add in the bananas, brown sugar, water, and cinnamon stick. Cook for 5 minutes. Use a wooden spoon to turn the bananas continually.
Lower the heat to medium-low. Add in the orange peel and juice. Cook for another 5 minutes.
Throw out the cinnamon stick and serve the dessert with vanilla ice cream.
Final Thoughts
There you have it! A look at bananos calados. Now you know how to fry bananas the Colombian way!
Can’t get enough of Colombian desserts? Here’s a list of 11 more sweet Colombian treats. Or check out the 17 Best Colombian Food Dishes You Should Try Right Now.
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Jorge Garcia is the founder of AmigoFoods, where he has spent over 20 years helping readers discover authentic Latin American and Spanish cuisine. Raised in a Cuban-American household, Jorge learned to cook at the hands of his mother and grandmother, carrying forward generations of family recipes. That heritage, backed by his family’s four-generation history in the Latin food industry, inspired him to launch AmigoFoods in 2003. With more than 1,000 published articles on recipes, ingredients, and food culture, Jorge’s mission is simple: make authentic Latin cooking approachable for home cooks everywhere while honoring the traditions behind every dish.