If you’ve never had banana cue, you are in for a treat! This popular Filipino street food is made from fried saba bananas coated in caramelized brown sugar. It is pretty easy to make and will satisfy any sweet tooth!
a photo of caramelized bananas on barbecue sticks laying on a banana leaf
The name banana cue (or bananacue) simply comes from the combination of the words banana and barbecue. Although these are not cooked in the same manner that barbecue is (marinated and grilled), their similarity in appearance and use of skewers to serve is what brings in that term.
Banana cue is made with Saba bananas, which is one of the most popular banana varieties in the Philippines, where it originates. These bananas are primarily a cooking banana, but you can also eat them raw if you’d like as well!
a photo of caramelized bananas on barbecue sticks laying on a banana leaf
For banana cue, the Saba bananas are fried in caramelized brown sugar and then are usually skewered onto a bamboo stick for ease of enjoyment, although that step is not necessary. Banana cue is usually consumed as a mid-afternoon snack or as a dessert.
here is what you will need:
Saba Bananas: We find our Saba bananas at our local Asian or Filipino Markets. If you can’t find it fresh, you can opt for frozen as well. Opt to use bananas that are not too ripe, as the banana cue will be mushy.
Brown Sugar: We used light brown sugar here, but muscovado sugar or dark brown sugar would work as well. To ensure that your sugar is vegan, you can opt for an organic variety.
Oil: We like to fry in canola oil as it has a high smoke point, is cheap, and has a neutral flavor.
ingredients:
SWEET BANANA
- 4 bananas, the ripest you can find.
- 250 grams of panela or brown sugar.
- 1 glass of water 250 ml
- Cinnamon and cloves to your liking.
Procedure:
SWEET BANANA
1 The first thing we are going to do is peel and cut the bananas into 5 parts or however you prefer. .
2 then in a frying pan with a little oil we are going to seal them, when they are already well sealed, we add the panela or brown sugar. .
3 when it is already melted we add the water and let it cook over low heat until it caramelizes. .
5 lastly we put cinnamon and cloves, to give it aroma. If you prefer vanilla you can do it too.