Dry your bananas, why and how

[Steve Goods]

This time I have dried about 5 kg of fresh bananas. And I will bring about 300 gr to have for snacks and nutrition.

Bananas are a healthy source of fiber, potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and various antioxidants.
Bananas are a good source of potassium which can lower blood pressure in people with high blood pressure and has positive effects on cardiovascular health.

This is how I dried bananas http://www.bread4life.eu/preparation/i-go-bananas/

 

[SabsP]

Lovely.
But Spain is very well known for their dried fruit and assortment of nuts.

 

[Robo]

Why not just buy fresh ones as you walk? I have at least one a day on Camino..
I find they reduce leg cramps.

Depending which route you are walking maybe....lack of shops...

 

[Sue Kranz]

Speaking of things dried, I plan to bring freeze-dried raspberries and blueberries. If you are in the States, there is a market called "Trader Joes," that sells weigh nothing packages. At home, I sprinkle some on yogurt and fruit and it is magical!

Is it true that cafes/markets on el Norte are not as plentiful as on the Frances?

Buenos caminos.

 

[linkster]

I dehydrate bananas with some frequency. I initially dehydrated them for backpacking or canoeing trips. They taste much better than anything I have been able to purchase in the store. The flavor of the banana seems more concentrated or intense. They are great as a snack. I plan on incorporating a fresh banana when I can on the camino; however, you should carry whatever you want with you.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Before bringing fruits, veggies, meats (some even think beef jerky is a good idea), please do a bit of research on what is allowed in the EU. Then also ask yourself "why". Plenty of food to be found in Spain. It may not be what you use in your routine at home, but it will do. Or even be much better.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

Is it true that cafes/markets on el Norte are not as plentiful as on the Frances?
Buenos caminos.

Why would that be the case? The coast is as populated if not more than the areas bordering the Frances, just as rich, if not richer than areas bordering the Frances. And national chains of supermarkets sell the exaçt same goods across the country.

 

[Sue Kranz]

OK, thanks. Just what I've read on the forum...

 

[SabsP]

Again sorry to repeat myself...Spain is a developed country...Do no panic about finding food. Even the remote Caminos will have shops every 30 k.

 

[Anniesantiago]

There is plenty of fresh and dried fruit all along the route - in nearly every village and most certainly every day.
People have this idea that Spain is backwards.
It's not.
In fact, in many ways, to me, Spain makes the USA look like a 3d world country.

 

[Steve Goods]

Ok, some of you might not like the idea to either dehydrate your own bananas, or to eat dried fruits nor to bring them to Spain.

Here is some thoughts;

- if you buy dehydrate fruits, they are much more expensive
- dehydrated bananas sold in stores have sugar added, and I think have lower quality.
- I live in Europe (not all of us live in the US). Dehydrated fruits that they sell in my closest shop - is made in and imported from the Philippines.
- dried bananas weight less, take less space, and you can easily carry 5 pieces of dried bananas in your front pocket. No mess, no bulging!
- of course you can and should buy fresh fruits. One thing doesnt have to disqualify the other.
- Bananas in particular have many things you need, as lots of carbs. And I have problems with cramps, and eating bananas can help.
- I bring them with me from my home. I start eating them at the airport, instead of eating unhealthy or expensive food at the airport.
- Dehydrated fruit just doesnt have any water in them. But all the nutrition is still there, and they can last much longer (up to 6 months) than a mashed or brown banana in your back pack.
- And as Linkster says, dried bananas taste much better.

I dehydrate bananas with some frequency. I initially dehydrated them for backpacking or canoeing trips. They taste much better than anything I have been able to purchase in the store. The flavor of the banana seems more concentrated or intense. They are great as a snack. I plan on incorporating a fresh banana when I can on the camino; however, you should carry whatever you want with you.

 

[sierrakn]

You might want to check Immigration/Customs rules. I recently had two apples confiscated in Mexico as they prohibit bringing 'any food' into the country.

 

[Steve Goods]

You might want to check Immigration/Customs rules. I recently had two apples confiscated in Mexico as they prohibit bringing 'any food' into the country.

No problem last autumn to bring my dried sweet bananas into Spain

But they confiscated my 5 jars of sardines in tomato sauce at the security in Sweden, before I took off.
"- What do you think they are? Hand grenades?"
They looked so small but they were 125 gram, limit is 100 gram.

Tomorrow I will fly to Madrid, then to Burgos. And from there walk the rest of the French way.
Just started a travel blog; www.bread4life.eu combining el Camino and how to "step out in Faith". After all, el Camino and all other pilgrim routes, is a miniature of life itself; a spiritual journey.
Will capture some shots and produce on Youtube, subscribe if you are intersted.

 

[Jersey]

There is plenty of fresh and dried fruit all along the route - in nearly every village and most certainly every day.
People have this idea that Spain is backwards.
It's not.
In fact, in many ways, to me, Spain makes the USA look like a 3d world country.

I was only in Spain for a month last year ( this summer I'll spend 7 or 8 weeks in Spain ) I learned a few things.
First; There trains are much nicer than here in the USA
Second; I bought a Nespresso coffee machine as soon as I got back
Third; Most mornings it's fresh squeezed OJ these days
Fourth; I only buy the best olive oil now
I can go on and on LOL

 

[Anniesantiago]

I was only in Spain for a month last year ( this summer I'll spend 7 or 8 weeks in Spain ) I learned a few things.
First; There trains are much nicer than here in the USA
Second; I bought a Nespresso coffee machine as soon as I got back
Third; Most mornings it's fresh squeezed OJ these days
Fourth; I only buy the best olive oil now
I can go on and on LOL

Yup.
If I were younger and didn't have children and grandchildren I'd miss, I'd move to Spain in a snap.

 

[trecile]

Third; Most mornings it's fresh squeezed OJ these days

Yummmm, Orange juice! I think that some days I spent more on OJ than my bed!

 

[Jersey]

Yup.
If I were younger and didn't have children and grandchildren I'd miss, I'd move to Spain in a snap.

I plan on living in La Coruna, Spain for 9 - 12 months a few years down the line. I hope to bring my oldest granddaughter for a 3 month stay, hopefully a semester of college if I can work out the details.
I believe my son & daughter would also visit for 2 week vacations, that along with some other family & friends visiting for 1 or 2 week clips.
It would be like I'm not even gone. Get creative & you can have the best of two worlds.
My biggest worry is being able to watch my NY Mets 1 am all summer lol

 

[Micah26]

Thank you for the tip on drying bananas. I live dried fruit but have a difficult time with the preservatives most are sprinkled with! As we speak I'm drying 5 lbs Bon Camino!

 

[Berruin]

I love dried fruits like dried mango!