Banana Peel "Pulled Pork"

Ingredients:

• 4 ripe banana peels (make sure to use the peels of bananas that are ripe but not overly mushy)

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• ½ teaspoon ground coriander

• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)

• Salt and black pepper, to taste

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari (for a gluten-free option)

• 1 tablespoon maple syrup

• 1 tablespoon tomato paste

• ½ cup vegetable broth or water

• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Peels: Scrape the white part from the banana peels using a spoon. Then, slice the peels into thin strips.

2. Cook the Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a pan. Add the onion and garlic, sautéing until soft and fragrant.

3. Season the Peels: Add the banana peel strips. Stir in smoked paprika, cumin, coriander, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes.

4. Add Liquids: Mix in soy sauce, maple syrup, and tomato paste. Then pour in the vegetable broth and apple cider vinegar. Stir well.

5. Simmer: Reduce heat and let it simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the peels are tender and the sauce thickens. Add more broth if needed.

6. Serve: Enjoy your Banana Peel "Pulled Pork" in tacos, sandwiches, or as a topping for salads. It pairs wonderfully with coleslaw or avocado.

Tips:

• Texture: For a more meat-like texture, you can briefly pulse the cooked peels in a food processor before returning them to the pan.

• Spice it Up: Feel free to adjust the spices according to your taste. Add more cayenne for extra heat or a bit of liquid smoke for a deeper smoky flavor.