Fijian Banana Cake

Welcome to Fiji!! OR at least Fiji in the kitchen!! This month for Eat The World we are going to the warm island of Fiji to try something new. I was surprised when looking for recipe to try out the mix of tropical and Indian influences in the food. All of it looked amazing, but for today we have Banana Cake. It's like the delicious banana bread we all know and love, but with a tropical twist. I hear no Fijian party would be complete without it.

1/2 c. brown sugar
2 Tbsp. butter, melted
2 Tbsp. oil
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 1/4 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
3 very ripe banana
1/3 c. sour cream or yogurt
1/2 c. dried dates
2 Tbsp. toasted coconut
1/4 c. walnuts, chopped

Pre-heat the oven tow 350. Grease a 9x9 baking dish and set aside.

Cover the dates with hot water and soak for 30 minutes. Drain and chop and then set aside. 

Mash the bananas and brown sugar until smooth. Add the butter, oil, vanilla, salt, and baking soda and mix to combine. 

Mix in the eggs and sour cream and keep mixing until combined. Add the flour and mix until completely incorporated. 

Add the dates, toasted coconut, and walnuts and mix to combine again. 

Pour in to prepared pan and bake for 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. 

Remove from the oven and allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting. 

Check out all the wonderful Fijian dishes prepared by fellow Eat the World members and share with #eattheworld. Click here to find out how to join and have fun exploring a country a month in the kitchen with us!

Palatable Pastime: Pawpaw Curry with Lolo
Making Miracles: Lolo Buns
Culinary Adventures with Camilla: Fijian Food for a Crowd: Curry, Pulao, and Cassava Cake
Dinner By Dennis: Palusami
Sneha’s Recipe: No Oil Or Butter Fijian Coconut Bread
CulturEatz: Kokoda, a Fijian Coconut Milk Ceviche
Amy’s Cooking Adventures: Fijian Creamy Lentil Soup (Dhal)
Kitchen Frau: Spiced Sweet Potato and Banana Salad
A Day in the Life on the Farm: Kokoda
 
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