Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Red Bananas - RT/WW


I was in Chinatown's wet market to buy some snakehead. I was going home when I saw an elderly lady selling these red bananas. I have never seen a red banana so I bought two for S$1 (US 70 cents).


I ate them on the spot. The red banana was sweet. The flesh is a pale yellow. Sorry, I ate it before taking a picture. :P


The seller didn't know what is the name of this red banana. Anyone knows?


My 90+ father-in-law is hospitalised. Last Friday one of my foreign students had a high fever and was given one week's medical leave. This morning, another student came down with fever. My husband is not feeling well too. My hands are full taking care of these sickly guys. I pray it is not H1N1. sigh.




First Commenter - dora


56 comments:

  1. Think i have seen red bananas before but i also dunno the name. There are actually many different types of bananas.

    Best regards to u and ur family members. Take care.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dora,
    Yes, I was at Bollywood farm and there are so many varieties of bananas. I didn't see the red banana though.

    Thanks for your concern. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm not of it's name in English or it's scientific name, just called it red bananas.

    Don't forger to take good care of yourself too, it's not good for the caregiver to be sick . Wishing your family speedy recovery.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Jama,
    I wonder if it's called Pisang Merah? The elderly lady didn't know.

    Thanks for your kind advice. I'll be extra careful. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Red bananas are a variety of bananas with a reddish-purple skin. They are smaller and plumper than the traditional Cavendish banana. When ripe, raw red bananas have a flesh that is cream to light pink in color, and their texture is somewhat softer and sweeter than the yellow Cavendish varieties, with a slight raspberry-banana flavor. They are best eaten soft, but not bruised. They are imported from Costa Rica and are a favorite in Central America.

    Clearly, there has been some plant migration out of South America. You are lucky to have found them and tasted them. I hope you go back to that seller again.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have never had red bananas. Hope the people around you recover soon.

    ReplyDelete
  7. My first time seeing red banana too. Hope to try it one day. Take care and wishing you and your household in good health. Speedy recovery to those who are not feeling well.

    ReplyDelete
  8. We have these over here too. I tried it once. Didn't like the taste. It can be very filling though

    ReplyDelete
  9. let's hope it's not H1N1. i arrived from US last Saturday and reported to work this morning. told everybody to stay away from me.:P

    i've seen red bananas before but don't remember eating one. they look delicious. you were buying snakehead??? what for, if i may ask?:P

    ReplyDelete
  10. Red bananas? I have never seen it before too. Is it a new species. :D Ouh...it taste sweet aye? Is it because of global warming? Hence causing the banana to change into red?

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your father-in-law and husband is not feeling well? Hmmm..must be the terrible weather. Anyway I hope they will get well soon. :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Never seen or eaten the red bananas before. My Indon maid said it is call pisang udang in Indonesia. Plenty over there. Hope you take good care of yrself too. These HINI is making everyone nervous over here. I put on a mask yesterday when I went to the hospital yesterday.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Annie,
    Thanks for the info.

    The red bananas I ate were sweet, pale yellow in colour and longer than my palm. I wonder if they have been cross-bred with our local bananas.

    I hope to see them again.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Doreen,
    The seller told me the red bananas are from Malaysia. You have never seen them?

    Thanks for your well-wishes. :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Mei Teng,
    You can get these red bananas easily? They are huge. It is very filing to eat just one.

    I like the taste which is sweet and taste like a kuih. The flesh is soft.

    ReplyDelete
  16. luna miranda,
    haha.... H1N1 scare is still everywhere. I have to be extra careful as I go in and out of the hospital very often now.

    I bought the snakehead fish to make soup for the sick people in my house. It's especially good for wounds.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Tekkaus,
    I was told the red bananas come from Malaysia. You have not seen them?

    That's their original colour, not dyed. I like its sweet taste and texture.

    My father-in-law is over 95 years old. His organs are failing due to old age.

    My husband is probably too tired from all the running and his immunity system has weakened.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Jasmine,
    Pisang Udang!? That's a cute name. The colour does resemble the red prawn. :)

    I will have to ask my Indonesian friends if they can bring me these red bananas.

    I have to wear a mask too when I'm in the hospital. I can't take the risk. Hoep you are feeling well too.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I hope your family members get well soon, ECL!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I've had red bananas before in Malaysia, they were so sweet I miss the taste. I've always known them as Red Bananas.
    http://auntieegarden.blogspot.com/2009/08/ruby-tuesday-victorian-inn.html

    ReplyDelete
  21. Oh dear so many people falling sick. You take care too ya, while taking care of so many people! *hugs*

    ReplyDelete
  22. I've never seen RED bananas, ecl! I hope you are not looking at swine flu, good luck!

    ReplyDelete
  23. There you are ECL. I was worried. I am sorry to hear your family is ill but glad to know you are okay.

    I was getting worried. wow red bananas...cool!! I've never seen them either!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Just in case...I am back in the FCC now!!

    Happy day and hugs to you!!
    jackie:-))))

    ReplyDelete
  25. I too hope that your menfolk will be okay! That's scary!!!

    Now, a red banana isn't something I would think of trying...but you say the flesh is like a 'normal' banana? Hmmmmm.


    Happy Ruby Tuesday wishes to you. My R T is now posted, I do hope you can find time to stop by to visit with me today. You'll need to scroll down below my Heads or Tails blogging...it's a beauty!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. I hope your FIL gets feeling better... the flu is so hard on the elderly. I fear we are in for a rough fall and winter.

    I think I have seen a red banana in the store but have no idea what they are called.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I wish your father-in-law a speedy recovery

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hope you guys feel better soon! Lots of liquids ad vitamins - that red bananas look fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I have not ever seen a Red Banana either but would love to taste one. Well wishes and prayers for you and your family Ecl!

    ReplyDelete
  30. yes I have seen a red banana. Red banana also called blood banana.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I have no idea, but we also have red varieties over here and they're yummy.

    Hope the guys are feeling better now. You take care ECL, it'll be harder if you get sick too.

    My entries:
    Moms... Check Nyo
    Yummy-as-can-be

    ReplyDelete
  32. I read Annie's explanation of red bananas. Very infornative. Didn't know they existed.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Never heard of red bananas - not to be bought in Norway you know :-)

    Thinking about your family a lot dear blog friend!

    Btw: Sorry I haven't been around that much lately - have been touring France.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Red bananas sound intriguing. Thank you for tasting them for us. Now I know if I ever see some I should try one too.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I've seen and eaten red banana back there in the Phils but forgot the name.

    So sorry to hear about your FIL, students and hubs. I hope they will get well soon.

    btw, thanks for the bday greeting =)

    ReplyDelete
  36. I have seen them too. I don't know its name either. Take care of yourself and your family too!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hi, very much enjoy reading your blogs. I didn't know it before. Thank you for your comment, you are a kind and high standard Singaporean. I wish to know you one day in person. All the best wishes to you.

    ReplyDelete
  38. The only bananas we have here is the yellow ones which sell for sixty nine cents.
    I seen in can "rattlesnake" in some meat shop.
    Plus they also had chocolate cover ants.

    Sorry to hear about your father in law.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Think I've seen these red bananas at Seng Siong, I thought they were for Goreng pisang *lol*

    2 weeks back, both my kiddos came down with high fever too. Both almost had 1 week mc, nightmare arh!!!
    Hope your FIL and all at home get well soon :)
    Won't be H1N1 kwa, not so heng hor :P

    ReplyDelete
  40. I think I have seen red bananas but have never eaten them! Wonder what's the difference in taste with the normal yellow ones?

    ReplyDelete
  41. Sorry to hear about your father-in-law, your students and your husband! Why was your father-in-law hospitalised? I hope it's not very serious!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Looks like you are a very strong woman! I mean you have a strong immune system! Look all those around you fell sick, but you are still OK! Keep it up! : )

    ReplyDelete
  43. Must be careful about H1N1. It's easy to get, but hopefully it's mild and not create complications. Most people recover from it, but a small percentage gets complications like viral pneumonia which cannot be treated with antibiotics.

    ReplyDelete
  44. i'm not sure if i've seen such red-skinned bananas but are those as sweet as the yellow ones?

    ReplyDelete
  45. i hope everyone gets well soon and i pray the best for them. you take care too ECL.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Fever may not be bad; it is a good sign that the body immune system is kicking and fighting back its intruders. Usually it will be good to drink more water and eat healthy food to give the immune system an extra boost. I hope it is not H1N1 too else it may be a little trickier.

    ReplyDelete
  47. That banana are really delicious i tried that when i was in the Philippines...Happy WW!

    ReplyDelete
  48. I have never seen red bananas before!!
    Get-well wishes to the ones not feeling well...

    ReplyDelete
  49. red bananas? this is the first time looking and hearing about it.. =)

    kenwooi.com

    ReplyDelete
  50. I've never heard for a red banana before. How cool. I'd love to have one.

    Have a terrific day. :)

    ReplyDelete
  51. Hope your Father in law and husband get well soon!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Red bananas are just as disturbing to me as black corn...Hm..Haha. I hope your bunch of sickly men are getting better by the day. :)

    ReplyDelete