Bananas

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I have always known that bananas were an important part to most Somali diets. I just never realized exactly how important until I had a guest over for dinner.

I had just put a large helping of pasta onto a plate when I noticed that we ran out of bananas. My guest exclaimed

"Oh my God! God forbid there aren't any bananas!"

This person was dead serious. I on the hand hand couldn't stop laughing. What is it about bananas that the majority of Somalis love to eat it with many of their dishes? I can still remember the day I saw someone eat a banana with pasta. I remember thinking that it was utterly disgusting....until I tried it. Let me tell you, you have never experienced real Somali pasta or rice if it wasn't eaten with a banana.

Comments

  1. AMay 28, 2009 at 12:52 PM

    As a Somali I simply cannot eat my meals without bananas. It's like cereal without milk or macaroni and cheese without the cheese!! Heaven forbid there aren't any bananas around then I would substitute it with bread stick or at least something else.

    I believe it's the combination of sweet and spicy flavour that draws this need for bananas. I also believe that this 'need for bananas' cannot be understood until one tries it. Trust me you'll love it once you try it! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. TammyMay 28, 2009 at 2:44 PM

    Dea Ayan

    I agree with you 100%

    ReplyDelete
  3. Random MuslimaMay 28, 2009 at 3:17 PM

    I remember when I had some liver stew(????) served with bananas and I was pretty amazed...
    But it is true, it is good and way healthier than bread subhanAllah.

    ReplyDelete
  4. SophieMay 28, 2009 at 3:49 PM

    Asalaamu Alaykum

    I have heard that some Mauritians eat bananas with everything as well. Also while less sweet than bananas and they need cooking first, many African and Carribean nations eat the larger, related Plantain as only a savoury food, and the very green bananas make a perfectly acceptable substitute for this (they are great fried). Bananas are also eaten on the side in Sri Lanka, sometimes cut into large chunks in yoghurt but sometimes plain. Recent research has shown Somalis have ancestry from the Indian subcontinent particularly the eastern side towards Bangladesh, so we're all related at the end of the day (may explain why in the UK Bengalis and Somalis always live and work together mashaAllaah)

    Sophie

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousMay 28, 2009 at 4:51 PM

    I loveeeee bananas (eating it with food but not by itself). If I can't find anyt hough ... a few dates are a good subsitute.

    Try dates...lots of people think it's weird..before I convert them to it lol. Dates with rice & pasta.

    ReplyDelete
  6. YaseminMay 28, 2009 at 10:10 PM

    I think it's so funny that bananas are key! Unfortunately, I am allergic to most fruit including peaches, bananas, and apples. It's a North Scandinavian pollen allergy. I wonder what your guest would say about that :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. DahirMay 29, 2009 at 3:44 PM

    Growing up in a Somalian house meant that I used to eat Bananas just about everyday. I used to think it was like that all over the world, but boy was I wrong. There are lots of foods that use Bananas as the main ingredient, such as "Halwatu Al-moz" which my mum used to make a lot.

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownMay 30, 2009 at 12:40 AM

    Eating bananas with a meal is not just a Somali habit. My husband is a Swahili from Kenya and he loves to eat a banana with his meal too. I am always running out and never seem to have really ripe ones left to make banana bread!

    ReplyDelete
  9. NicoleMarieMay 30, 2009 at 9:50 AM

    This story kind of reminds me of my Djiboutian family. I was there once, and two of the kids hadn't eaten yet. There was only one banana left, and they just kind of stared each other down for a minute until they decided to share it. I thought it was going to be war! lol

    ReplyDelete
  10. Raihana AbMay 30, 2009 at 7:38 PM

    Hi

    Know your blog from Michele. I had link you up.
    My recipe blog at
    http://taste-budsrya.blogspot.com
    My personal blog at
    http://treasuredlurve.blogspot.com

    Hope you will visit my humble blogs

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  11. ummzaynaAugust 9, 2009 at 2:31 AM

    Salaams,
    This post had me in tears (very funny). I can't believe some people are so serious about eating bananas with their meals - seems like a weird combination.
    Great site by the way, just found it a few days ago. Looking forward to trying out some more recipes. I tried one so far and it turned out perfect - the ingredients were on point. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  12. ummzaynaAugust 9, 2009 at 2:34 AM

    Salaams,
    This post had me in tears (very funny). I can't believe some people are so serious about eating bananas with their meals - seems like a weird combination.
    Great site by the way, just found it a few days ago. Looking forward to trying out some more recipes. I tried one so far and it turned out perfect - the ingredients/measurements were on point. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  13. AnonymousSeptember 11, 2009 at 6:41 AM

    Though I am Somali, but I am not into Banata @ all. Not with pasta, or rice, or sweets or anything else.... The funniest thing that I can't eat lunch without salads not banana... Anyway, two main things are must in any Somali house: Mr. Banana and Ms. Dates :)

    Nasra

    ReplyDelete
  14. AnonymousSeptember 11, 2009 at 10:43 AM

    I live in the States, my coworkers always thought it was weird eating banana with rice or pasta, but once they tasted it they can’t have enough of it. I have to hide my food now other wise I will go hungry for the day!
    I found your site accidentally, I love it.
    Jazakumulahu Khair sister

    ReplyDelete
  15. UnknownSeptember 11, 2009 at 4:29 PM

    I crave for banana sometimes, but i don't eat with food all the times. When I go to Somali resturent with my non- somalis I tell them if they don't eat the banana with the food is disrespect they freaked out. It was a joke My co-wokers find it weird too and they ask where is my banana when i don't have one . You cannot go wrong somali and a banana. Keep on the hard work sister. Jazaku Allahu Khair sister.

    ReplyDelete
  16. asha norwayMay 9, 2010 at 3:53 AM

    asalaamu alaykum

    Aad iyo aad ayaan ugu faraxsanahay webkan qurxoon aad soo diyaariseen .

    ReplyDelete
  17. ASAHA NORWEYMay 9, 2010 at 4:02 AM

    Iam soomali and liv i Norwey. Ilike as ather somalien eating banan whith -all my dishes:ris, pasta, anjero, mufo.What can i say my hasband says alweys to me only ( baris asha....) I MEAN RIS.

    ReplyDelete

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