582829 Thu Dec 25 22:50:54 -0800 2008 11 31 Home Cooking 0 4273553 It seems that indigenous cultures find a way to use all parts of the produce and meats they eat. So as I was eating my daily banana this morning,I wondered if there is some banana- growing culture that puts banana skins to use (other than for compost or pig feed!). Anyone? Thu Dec 25 22:50:54 -0800 2008 10110 opinionatedchef 1 4273579 "E-lec-trical banana...". No, not really. Nothing comes to mind. Nothing at all! Thu Dec 25 23:44:56 -0800 2008 4273553 10483 Joebob 1 4273616 I know that bananas are good for facials, so looked to see if the skins were good for anything skin related. I discovered something on ehow.com that says they are good for acne, warts & poison ivy. I haven't tried any of these, but thought I'd pass it on! Maybe someone else knows for sure? http://www.ehow.com/how_2313284_use-banana-peel-skin-care.html Fri Dec 26 00:51:15 -0800 2008 4273553 14921 Just One Bite 1 4273878 I've lived and worked in about 35 banana and plantain producing countries and have never encountered a use for the skins other than, as you mention, pig feed and compost. And you can't give much to the pigs either. Fri Dec 26 08:00:42 -0800 2008 4273553 36661 Sam Fujisaka 2 4274222 Horses like them as an occaional treat. Fri Dec 26 11:58:08 -0800 2008 4273878 40284 AmyH 1 4273899 I have a black thumb, but I know that people who are successful rose growers like to throw banana peels on the ground around their plants. As the peels decompose, they provide a mix of nutrients that is particularly good for rose bushes. Fri Dec 26 08:12:40 -0800 2008 4273553 159317 greygarious 2 4273916 Probably potassium. Fri Dec 26 08:29:53 -0800 2008 4273899 36661 Sam Fujisaka 3 4273970 Quite right, as usual, Sam. Roses need fertilizer in the ratio of 1 - 2 - 1. That is 1 part Nitrogen, 2 parts Phosphorus, 1 part Potassium. Without over fertilizing plants, banana skins add the necessary phosphorus and potassium levels at the time of planting and a few times during the season. The skins are equally beneficial for shrubs and other garden plants when worked into the soil around the plants. Fri Dec 26 09:09:04 -0800 2008 4273916 75332 Gio 1 4274004 Slapstick humor? Fri Dec 26 09:29:24 -0800 2008 4273553 138816 jlafler 1 4274044 I think I read in the ASk Heloise newspaper column that if you cut a piece of banana peel and tape it to a wart that after a week the wart will be gone. And you will be stinking of rotten banana peel... Fri Dec 26 09:52:52 -0800 2008 4273553 180658 mkmccp 1 4275242 Banana peels are supposed to be great for ridding warts. Fri Dec 26 22:43:16 -0800 2008 4273553 11583 ipsedixit 2 4275800 It used to be thought that you could get high from smoking them, but this is apparently a sixties-era hoax. The old song "mellow yellow" supposedly alluded to this. Sat Dec 27 09:29:33 -0800 2008 4275242 10840 MarkC