In my Kitchen cooking from scratch…Banana Ketchup

 

This recipe is a great way to use up your overripe Bananas…

The exact origins of banana ketchup are unknown, but it’s popularly is said to have originated in World War II, when American soldiers brought tomato ketchup to the Philippines. Since tomatoes were hard to find at the time but bananas were plentiful, Filipino locals adapted it to a banana version.

That said, banana ketchup probably existed in some forms before World War II  or at least, condiments that were similar enough to be considered a “proto-banana ketchup” but there’s no doubt that World War II was where banana ketchup took its modern form.

Without the presence of tomatoes, it’s both sweeter and less vinegar-heavy than standard ketchup. And while the resulting colour of the mixture is naturally brownish, many commercial versions are dyed to look red like tomato ketchup.

This beloved condiment is used in many the same ways as tomato ketchup: fried foods, grilled and skewered meats, hot dogs and hamburgers — and Filipino spaghetti!

It’s also a good way to use up overripe bananas…

This recipe does use some tomato paste as like all recipes they evolve over the years…initially, it is said that a little red dye was added to make it look more appealing to the eye. The traditional Phillipino Banana ketchup does not however contain dye or tomato paste…

Banana Ketchup…

Ingredients:-

  • 3 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 small onion (180 gm) thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 3 large red chillies(60 gm) roughly chopped
  • 90 gm tomato paste
  • 20 gm fresh ginger roughly chopped
  • 1 and a half tsp of All Spice
  • 5 overripe bananas(650 gm) mashed with a fork
  • 150 ml rice wine vinegar
  • 90 gm dark brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp fish sauce.

Let’s Cook!

Using a large pan heat the oil then saute the onions, garlic, chillies and ginger stirring often for about 15 mins until the onions are soft and lightly golden brown.

Add the tomato paste and the allspice cook for 2 minutes.

Add the mashed banana, vinegar, sugar, soy sauce and fish sauce cook for 15 mins stirring often.

The ketchup is now happily simmering this is how it looks before being blitzed…You really wouldn’t know there were bananas in it…all the lovely flavours of garlic, ginger, soy sauce, fish sauce and brown sugar all combine and make this delicious ketchup.

Remove from the heat then blitz until smooth then pour into a sterilised jar. Leave to cool for at last 1 hour before using. This ketchup keeps in the fridge for about 3 months.

Eat with chicken, ribs, burgers or grilled cheese…you could eat with eggs any which way you like even use it as a glaze …

I made the mistake of saying it was a chutney and my taste testers turned their nose up and said we don’t like chutney…I then retracted that and told them the history and that it was the pre-amble to tomato ketchup…they then decided to try it and liked it…Kids!

Thank you for popping on…Let me know if you try the Banana Ketchup see you tomorrow for Tropical Friday x

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoy!

That’s all for today in my kitchen…see you tomorrow for Tropical Friday xx

35 thoughts on “In my Kitchen cooking from scratch…Banana Ketchup”

  2. Ronit Penso Tasty Eats

    I’ve seen bottled banana ketchup, but thought it was just a gimmicky name! Very interesting to know it actually has bananas in it… I usually have some overripe bananas around, so hope to give it a try soon. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

  3. Pingback: CarolCooks2 weekly roundup…August 15th-21st 2021…7th Avenue, Music, Environmental A-Z, Dragon Eye Fruit and Banana Ketchup.… | Retired? No one told me!

  6. petespringerauthor

    I like solutions that find creative ways to use food instead of tossing it. What do you think of the taste, Carol?

    Liked by 2 people

    1. CarolCooks2 Post author

      I was pleasantly surprised, Pete the banana taste is not strong although there are other strong flavours like ginger, garlic, fish sauce which I was a little sceptical about the addition of fish sauce but together they all worked well the red chillies were the big chillies which are not as hot overall as Thai birds eye chillies for example… it went well with the chicken..I did wonder whether or not to blitz it but the kids prefer a smooth ketchup and it would have had more or a chutney texture…I have cooked so much that I can read a recipe and image what it would taste like as I know my flavours…Plus it didn’t need salt or thickeners I would definitely make it again I am always looking for ways to use overripe bananas as we have so many bananas…I hope you have great weekend , Pete 🙂 x

      Liked by 1 person

    1. CarolCooks2 Post author

      Not that I know of Dolly I have searched and even so-called traditional ones have tomato paste which I think was probably a substitute for the original red dye that was used…

      Liked by 1 person

    1. CarolCooks2 Post author

      Its lovely Robbie… It obviously doesn’t taste exactly the same because it isn’t but a delicious alternative and for me as I always have over ripe bananas another way of using them up..

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