Quick Tip To Share - Unusual Uses for Banana Peels and They're GREEN!

In my quest to find home uses for normal, everyday items that you find in your kitchen and pantry I have come across my latest.....BANANA PEELS!  The very post started when I was researching GREEN cleaners that can be made at home - since that first post, Quick Tip To Share - Garbage Disposal Cleaner AND IT'S GREEN!, I have received numerous emails and comments with even MORE great tips that are GREEN so, THANKS to all of my loyal readers for their suggestions!

I just found this one over the weekend and thought I would share!  I haven't had time to try any of them out yet so I can't recommend them yet but, you know me!  I will be trying a few of these out throughout the week.  Here are some unusual uses for Banana Peels:

• Polish Silverware and Leather: Remove the stringy party of the banana peel and then rub the inside of the peel on your silverware.  Afterwards, buff with a dry lint-free cloth.  Instant shine!  Try the same technique for leather shoes, leather purses and even furniture.  I would definitely try a small hidden area of your furnitire first just to make sure you will get the desired effect.
• Get a Great Shine on Your Household Plants:  Just rub the inside of your banana peel on your household plant leaves and you'll get a lustrous shine that can't be beat!  
• Use as a Fertilizer or Mulch:  We all know that bananas are chock full of potassium, right?  Well, that is an important nutrient for your garden as well!  During the winter months you can dry out banana peels and then in the Spring when you are getting ready to do your garden planting you'll need to grind up the banana peels in a food processor.  Then, when ready use as mulch for new plants and seedlings.  You can also cut up a banana peel and use as plant food for other established plants.
• Get rid of Aphids in Your Garden:  You can also use DRIED banana peels as a repellant.  Cut up the dried banana peels and plant about and 1" or 2" deep around the plants that have the Aphids.  In short time they'll be GONE!

And here is a really interesting one to me!  I am a HUGE fan of flavored oils and vinegars.  Here is a recipe for Banana Peel Vinegar:

• 1 lbs banana peels
• 4 c water
• 3/4 c sugar
• 1/4 t bakers yeast
• 1/2 vinegar (for a starter)

Recipe:

1. Slice the banana peels, place in pot and add 2 cups water, then boil.
2. Extract the juice of banana peel, decant and filter through cheesecloth.
3. Add 2 cups water, sugar and pasteurize for 10 – 15 minutes at 140 - 150º F.
4. Transfer into sterilized container, half-filled.
5. Cool, then add ½ tsp baker’s yeast for every 4 cup mixture. Allow to ferment for 7-8 days.
6. Decant/siphon to separate sediments (dead yeast).
7. Add 1/2 c vinegar starter for every 2 cup liquid. Cover with clean cloth/paper.
8. Allow to ferment at room temperature for 2-3 weeks or until a sour odor of vinegar is attained. Decant to separate the sediments.
9. Fill container to full capacity. Age for a month to produce quality vinegar.
10. Pasteurize at 140º F for 5 minutes. Filter, bottle, seal tightly, label and store.

Sound strange?  I haven't made it but I have TRIED IT!  Amazing as a topper for seafood, Caribbean styled dishes and fried foods.  Seriously - it's sweet and tangy and just delicious!

                         

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