Frozen Bananas
When my father recounts the hardest part of being a father/stepfather to six kids who were all within six years of each other, he likes to tell the story about the summer he tried to take us all to the state fair.
My sister Lauren and I, the two oldest, were probably 13. That means that my youngest brother, Ryan, was 7. I don’t remember the event that well — there were elephant ears and frozen bananas, and nobody lost a limb on the questionable rides. I do remember what my father describes as “the reason he never took us to the fair again.” For one reason or another — some life changing, horrifying event — one of my brothers had a full scale melt down. It came to a head with my brother throwing himself on the ground (in the middle of the very crowded fair) and refusing to move.
Naturally, the remaining five of us found this HILARIOUS. We laughed at how the people with fanny packs and turkey legs had to step around him, we laughed and mocked and ate our fair food while my father tried to negotiate a situation that has clearly scarred him as a parent.
Frozen bananas still hold a special place in my heart, especially when they’re dipped in chocolate, just like they are at the fair. The thing nobody tells you is that, unlike other fair food, they’re insanely simple to make at home! They’re no harder or more complicated than chocolate dipped strawberries, and in my opinion they’re one of the best foods to eat on a hot summer afternoon. Pull them out of the freezer as you want them, and take in the fair that is your life. If it’s anything like mine, you’re probably already one corn dog away from taking it on the road!
Frozen Bananas
2 ripe bananas
1 bar of dark chocolate
1/4 cup heavy cream
Wax paper
In a double boiler melt your chocolate. When it’s fully melted, remove from heat and whisk in the cream.
Cut the bananas in 1 inch pieces. Dip the banana pieces in the chocolate halfway, and place on the wax paper. Freeze for at least 1 hour, and then enjoy!
