Banana

banana in Bangladesh
Banana is the number one fruit in Bangladesh considering its year round
availability, popularity and production. It accounts for 41% of the total
fruit production from 21% share in area. The average yield of banana
is 15 t/ha, which is lower compared with that of other countries in the
world. Plantain has a great demand in the urban areas during the lean
period of vegetables from May to October.
Banana is a rich source of calories. It is eaten fresh or sometimes mixed
with rice and milk, which is the traditional dish for Bangladeshis. It
also is used in fish curry, in preparing cakes and other delicious foods.
The green peel is also eaten and has a medicinal value.
Malnutrition is widespread in the country. The average food intake is
deficient in calories, vitamins and minerals. Bananas can improve the
nutritional situation of the country.
CultivarsTable banana

There are a number of banana cultivars in Bangladesh. Among them,
BARI Kola-1, ‘Amritsagar’, ‘Sabri’, ‘Champa’ and ‘Kabri’ are the
commercial cultivars. The other cultivars are ‘Mehersagar’, ‘Dudsagar’,
‘Agniswar’, ‘Genasundari’, ‘Kanaibanshi’, ‘Basrai’, ‘Binisuta’, etc. The
Horticulture Research Centre has 19 cultivars/landraces of table banana
in its collection. There are also different types of seeded cultivars growing
in the homesteads, roadsides and forests all over the country. These
are tall plants, hardy and drought tolerant, which takes a long time to
harvest. Most of these cultivars produce sweet fruits which are used as
baby food, dessert and in cake preparation. Its inflorescence is eaten as
delicious vegetable.
*Director General, BARI, Joydebpur, Gazipur, Bangladesh.

Production systems

Banana production in Bangladesh can be categorized into three systems:
backyard, mixed and commercial smallholder production. Backyard
production of banana is common where the growers produce banana
primarily for home consumption. In this system, crop management is
very poor, but productivity and longevity is high. Bananas are grown
perennially in homestead areas. Practically no fertilizer or pesticides
are applied. In a mixed-crop production system, banana is intercropped
with potato, onion, mustard, radish, spinach, amaranth, bitter gourd,
cabbage, etc. to obtain additional income. In some commercial
smallholder plantations, banana is grown as a monocrop. But most of
the growers are not well aware of the modern production practices.
Status of banana in Bangladesh 43
activities on banana. DAE and NGOs play an important role on
technology dissemination.

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

PINEAPPLE SLICE

Preparation Pineapple Slice

Details

Necessary ingredients

1. Pineapple 1.5-2 kg.

2.sugar 400-600gm.

3.sytrice acid (adequate).

Procedure

Flow sheet

1.At fast 1 or 2 kg weight fresh,well-cooked and calor mass washing

cling water.

4.Then pineapple knife hush water washed eye reliverance .First cut the top of the pineapple off using sawing motions with your knife.

5.Now cut down the sides until all holes, spikes, and spines are removed.

6.Next lay the pineapple on its side and cut 1/2 - 3/4 inch thick slices.

7.After you have your slices, take your shot glass in one hand and place it over the core or middle of each slice to remove the center. Put your other hand on top of the shot glass and now use your body weight to lean into the pineapple and cut through the cente.

8.Now place the newly cut pineapple slice in a container and refrigerate. Discard the centers and outside pieces of the pineapple.

DESSERT RECIPE: Pineapple Slice

1-1/4-cup graham wafer crumbs
1/4-cup butter, melted
2-eggs
1/2-cup soft butter
1-1/2-cup sifted icing sugar
1-tsp. vanilla
1-1/2-cup well drained crushed pineapple (19 0z can)
1/2-pint whipping cream

Combine graham wafer crumbs and 1/4 cup melted butter.
Take out 1/4 cup of this mixture and set aside.
Press remaining into a buttered 9-inch square pan.
Beat eggs well.
Add 1/2 cup butter, icing sugar and vanilla.
Beat until well blended and fluffy.
Spread over graham wafer crumbs.
Dry crushed pineapple on paper toweling.
Whip cream and fold into pineapple.
Spread carefully over butter-sugar layer.
Sprinkle with the 1/4 cup crumbs set aside.
Chill several hours.
Cut in large squares to serve.

pineapples

Named for its resemblance to a pine cone in English, this tropical fruit was originally discovered and domesticated in South America. Now cultivated in many tropical regions throughout the world, he pineapple plant is a member of a group of plants called bromeliads, or air plants. Their modified leaves and stems catch and store water, which the plant can then use as a resource. Pineapples can weigh up to 20 pounds, but average 2-5 pounds.

How to store:

At room temperature for up to 2 days away from light, or in perforated plastic in the refrigerator for up to a week

How to prepare:

Pineapple is delicious fresh in salads or desserts, as well as sauteed, grilled or broiled. It cannot be used fresh in gelatin mixtures because its natural enzymes will prevent the gelatin from setting (though canned is okay). The enzyme in pineapple is terrific at tenderizing meats, so use it as a marinade, but don't leave meat next to pineapple more than 10 minutes before serving or it will turn it mushy. It will also digest proteins in milk products, so again add to cottage cheese or yogurt just before serving. To prepare a fresh pineapple, cut a slice off the top and bottom, then cut the rind off the sides in wide strokes trying to leave as much flesh as possible while removing all of the "eyes." Then cut lengthwise and remove the core from each half.

Learn to Cut a Pineapple With Confidence

Few foods evoke the feeling that warm weather has returned like the pineapple, but even fewer foods inspire such quizzical reactions when it comes time to actually serve the thing. Instructables posts a guide to getting the most juicy yellow stuff out of that expensive (for moderate-climate buyers, anyway) purchase. You'll need a large, sharp knife and a small thin blade, but the author notes a bread knife and thin fillet or boning knife are the best combo. Need to cut for rings or slices? Check out one of my favorite one-purpose sites, How to cut a pineapple.

• 
• 
• 
• 
•