[Musa acuminata, Musa paradisiaca (plantain)]
Banana Leaf
[Musa acuminata, Musa paradisiaca (plantain)]
Bananas are the largest of the herbs, growing to as much as 40 feet high. Their leaves are used in many tropical cultures as a flavoring wrapper for steamed and baked foods. The photo shows a quarter leaf (split down the spine and about half length) about 4 feet long by 13 inches at the wide end.
Banana plants grow all over Southern California as tropical decoratives, but are generally not suitable as wrappers because the leaves have been split up by the frequent strong winds. They do not fruit here because Southern California is too cold.
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Buying: In Southern California fresh banana leaves are occasionally available in ethnic markets, and usually sell out fast. Frozen ones are almost always available in ethnic markets serving South or Southeast Asian or Tropical American communities. Storing: Fresh banana leaves are fairly perishable. Loosely wrapped and refrigerated they'll keep for a few days before they start to mold. The best storage method is freezing, which they take just fine. Just thaw thoroughly before trying to unfold them. Unused leaves can be refrozen. Subst: Parchment paper can be used if no banana leaves are available, or for non-acidic foods even aluminum foil. No flavor is imparted from these substitutions but little flavor is contributed by banana leaves anyway. |