Banana leaves...where to find? [moved from Home Cooking board]
Recently I've seen a bunch of recipes calling for baking fish in banana leaves. Although I live in southern CA, there are no banana trees around. I suppose I could use parchment paper with a similar effect, but it wouldn't look as nice as the real thing. Any idea where one might buy banana leaves? I've never seen them in any market...but then again, I've never looked.
josephnl
Aug 06, 2008 04:20PM
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Asian or Latino markets have them in big bundles for cheap. Our neighborhood King Ranch has them in the produce section all the time. And you're dead wrong about no banana trees around; my neighbor's trees hang right over my (Pasadena) backyard fence, but I'm too neighborly to take undue advantage ;-)
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I think you're in Orange County? 99 Ranch has them in the freezer aisle. They have two stores in Irvine.
The better Mexican markets will have them, sometimes fresh in the produce section. El Toro Carniceria in Santa Ana usually has them fresh, as should Gonzalez Northgate Markets (there are several in OC). In Anaheim, try Gigante on Euclid, just north of the 5. In Costa Mesa, maybe El Metate market on 19th might have them.
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"I suppose I could use parchment paper with a similar effect, but it wouldn't look as nice "
No way José!
This is not Hollywood folklore, it's not done for the looks.
The banana leaves infuse their characteristic flavor & taste.
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.89 @ lb at Ranch 99 , Alhambra, in the freezer section. The ones I have found "fresh" in the produce section have dried, blackened areas from mold. Fresh runs around 1.99 a local Mexican food markets.
There is a distinct vegetable flavor from banana leaves. I agree with RicRios. Substitution will make for a totally different flavored dish.
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