Banana Cue

This popular Filipino street food is super easy, and a super fun dessert!

Happy fall friends!! October is National Filipino American month so some wonderful ladies and I are participating in a Virtual Merienda today. A merienda is a light meal or snack commonly eaten in the Philippines during an afternoon work break. The snacks can be sweet or savory.

Today I’m sharing a dish made with Saba bananas, which are widely cultivated in the Philippines. Saba bananas are shorter in length, but stouter than regular bananas. If you are familiar with plantains, you can think of saba bananas as smaller versions of the plantains. Similar to plantains, they’re considered ‘cooking’ bananas.

This dish, Banana Cue, is a deep fried Saba banana coated in melted brown sugar served on bamboo skewers. YUM! It’s a perfect way to satisfy an afternoon sweet tooth.

To start, place canola oil in a large wok or pan and add a cup of brown sugar. Heat the oil until the brown sugar begins to caramelize. Add the bananas and cook for 2 minutes. Gently stir the bananas to coat with the brown sugar.

Once browned, place the bananas on a plate covered with a paper towel. Then carefully take each one and place on a bamboo skewer. That’s it!!

To add a salty crunch, I like to top mine off with some crushed macadamia nuts.

 

I hope you enjoy friends! Please make sure to check out all the other snacks for this virtual merienda (links below)! They’re already making me hungry. And a BIG thanks to Rezel Kealoha for organizing us!!

Rezel Kealoha – Buko Pie

Lemons & Anchovies – Baked Turon

Kitchen Confidante – Taho

The Little Epicurean – Ginataang Bilo-bilo