What is a girl or guy to do with bananas that are just about to walk off your counter or permanently glue themselves to a bowl with potential fruit fly disaster?

I ask myself this question, often.

Hi, my name is Jen, I more often then not allow bananas to rot."

Let me elaborate. Yesterday I did my usual grocery shopping trip, and the usual includes bananas. Well...

I have an odd habit of buying exactly four bananas. Now this sounds normal (then again who wants to be normal?) but it's what happens to the bananas that's not.

My intention is always the same:

Make awesome smoothies.
We all know they're purse friendly (man purse counts) so toss one in there for a quickie snack or smear PB on one and make a banana boat.
Freeze em, I'll tell you why soon.
If they start getting stinky and ugly, banana bread they will become (or muffins, like these with peanut butter-yeah I did!). Top 9 on Foodbuzz that one!

But let me tell you exactly what happens to those bananas, it's like a dirty little secret.

They progressively turn into a pile of mush. Ya know, if you poke at it, it might collapse and don't dare try grabbing one cause it will only deflate in your hand as a messy squishy stinky not sure what to call it. And by this point it's too far gone to even make banana bread out of it! Don't judge me....this is my glitch.

So, I promised myself to start using those bananas before they go bad. Hence today's recipe, enter Banana Ice Cream Pie.

Here ya go!

RECIPE

Banana Ice Cream Pie

By: Jennifer Vagios

Time: 15 minutes prep, then maybe 20-30 minutes freeze time.

Serves: 1 (but walnut topping/crust makes a ton...I suggest using the leftover to make a bunch of mini pies or make date truffles by adding more ingredients to the mix).

Equipment Needed:

Food processor (1 large and 1 mini comes in handy)
1-4 ounce ramekin or more (alternatively use a 9 " pie dish or little bowls)

Ingredients:

1 cup Medjool Dates
1 cup Walnuts
1/4-1/2 cup shredded coconut
few chunks crystalized ginger (optional, gives a spicy kick)
Cinnamon (to taste)
1 frozen banana (in chunks) (up to 4 if you're making a whole pie vs. minis)

DO IT:

For Crumbly Topping/Crust:

Combine dates, walnuts (p.s. walnuts were provided by the lovely people at California Walnuts...they just felt like sending me some nuts! How nice are they?) and spices and place into a food processor (large one if you've got it). Whirl it all up until a crumbly mixture forms....it gets sticky, this is a good thing cause you will be mushing it to form a pie crust of sorts.

Take a 4 ounce ramekin (or use all the crumbly mix and place in a 9 " pie dish) and press and squish on the bottom to form a crust. Trust me, it will stick.

Place pie dish or ramekin(s) in freezer while you make the banana ice cream. (For approximately 15 minutes).

For Banana Ice Cream:

While the crust is solidifying, toss the frozen banana chunks into a food processor (I use the mini one if making 1 serving) or blender. Keep whipping it up for a few minutes.

NOTE: The frozen chunks are tough and sometimes get stuck. Practice patience like a good yogi then stab at it a bit until it loosens (no, this is not violent, it's imperative to make that ice cream).

Add the cocoa powder or peanut butter here if you wish. Ummm, yeah! Watch what happens to that banana...it develops into this smooth, light, whipped ice cream awesomeness.
Now scoop the ice cream into the pre-frozen nutty crust, then stick back in the freezer for a bit (or don't, it's just as good).

Top with more nutty crumbly crust and serve!

[pinterest count="vertical"]

COOL IDEAS: (cause they're endless):

Add cocoa powder to the banana ice cream...make it chocolately (try a teaspoon at a time)
Add peanut butter to the ice cream, omg. Again, start with a little then add as you taste.
Use any other fruit and whirl it up in a blender, in fact I'd add frozen berries with that banana, or even some avocado.
Try another nut, almonds, cashews...endless possibilities.

WARMTH AND YUMMINESS,

Jen

SO, WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE SUMMER TREAT?

For FUN:

I also stumbled upon this and I'm pretty sure you'll find it entertaining if nothing else. 8 uses for bananas you never thought about via www.greenparenthood.com

[hr]

[box type="note" size="large" style="rounded" icon=""]p.s. Want to know exactly when I write a new blog post? Subscribe! No SPAM....ever![/box]