A Match Made in Heaven – Avocados and Bananas

July 21, 2009

This post dates back to 2009 when we were still living in southern Brazil. It is where I learned about eating avocado as a sweet fruit and not a savory ingredient. I was taught how to combine avocados and bananas to make fruit salads and shakes. It was long before the avocado-in-everything craze hit the U.S.

Bananas and Avocados in Brazil

I think I’ve mentioned before that around here avocados are eaten as a fruit; sweet, not savory like in many other cultures. You won’t find it on sandwiches, in salads or as a salty condiment such as guacamole. Now I still love to enjoy my avocados the old fashioned way, as I refer to it. However, I’ve been really open to the idea of eating them sweet.

At my husband’s office a popular snack is to take fresh avocado slices, sprinkle sugar on them and eat them as I would apple or peach slices. Other Brazilians have told me they cut it open sprinkle sugar on it, drizzle it with lime juice, and eat it with a spoon. I’ve tried it with just the sugar and you know what? It isn’t half bad.

When I posted about this new-to-me food phenomenon on my ex-pat blog I got a lot of responses about avocados and bananas. Soon after that I went to my favorite little vegetarian buffet down the road and one dish on the salad bar was a bowl of cut up avocados and bananas together.

Banana and Avocado Salad at a Vegetarian Lunch Buffet in Maringa-PR, Brazil

Nani, a Brazilian ex-pat living in Arizona, once commented on my blog that her dad was famous for his Vitamina de Banana e Abacate (banana and avocado vitamin). A smoothie of sorts made with avocado, banana, milk and sugar.

As interested as I was in this drink, it took me a long time to get around to trying it. In fact, I bought an avocado at the market last week and until last night it had been staring at me each time I opened the fridge door. Finally, last night after my run I gave it a try.

Oh my! I have no idea why I waited so long!

I have never had anything so creamy, sweet and slightly buttery. Words simply can’t do it justice. It is the ultimate of healthy, filling drinks. If you don’t like avocado, don’t worry. There is something that happens to the flavor once it is mixed with the banana. Honestly, I’m not sure I would identify it as avocado if I didn’t know it was in there. The best part is that it is full of potassium, monounsaturated fat, vitamin E, protein and calcium!

I froze my slices of banana first because I wanted the drink to be really cold and have a little texture. I also did not add any sugar. The banana was sweet enough. Finally, I used skim milk in my version.

Banana Avocado Vitamin | A shake recipe shared with me when we lived in southern Brazil.
Banana and Avocado Vitamin

One ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
1 ripe banana, sliced (frozen if desired)
Milk<

I used an immersion blender and a glass because that is all I have, but a blender would work well too. Blend the avocado and banana well. Slowly add a little milk at a time until you reach your desired consistency. I added about a cup. Pour it in a glass and your ready to enjoy!

 

 

 

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Or you could get involved in some of this Ice Cream Social action being hosted by Tangeled Noodle, Savor the Thyme and Scotty Snacks!

 

I turned the banana and avocado vitamin into Avocado Banana ice cream for my entry. I don’t have an ice cream maker on hand right now so I made via freezin’ and stirrin’ in my freezer. The fat in the avocado keeps it nice and creamy and a sprinkle of cinnamon on the top adds even more flavor. This might just be the most nutrient-dense ice cream out there!

 

 

 

 

 

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  • VeggieGirl July 22, 2009 at 9:00 am

    Oh my heavens, that combination of ingredients IS amazing.

  • Erica July 22, 2009 at 9:04 am

    How interesting! Its like a whole new take on avocados! I want to try the avocado with just a little sugar- I’m interested to see how that tastes!!

  • lauren July 22, 2009 at 9:25 am

    Wow! I am definitely trying this! Thanks for the idea…

  • sangeeta July 22, 2009 at 9:38 am

    it definitely is the most nutrient rich ice cream…
    i would definitely try this whenever i get a perfectly ripe avocado….as it is hard to get it in this part of the world.

  • Stephanie July 22, 2009 at 10:35 am

    Seriously my ABSOLUTE favorite! I drink one of these vitaminas after I finish working out and it is seriously the best thing on the planet. I blend ice in mine to make it extra cold! Sidnei made this for me in the states when we were dating and I thought he was crazy, but like you, I was in HEAVEN! And I love the avocados are so readily availabe and BIG here! I will have to try to make ice cream though, that I haven’t done! We also like to make “popsicles” out of them!

  • Jennifer July 22, 2009 at 10:36 am

    Lori–you are giving me a flashback: when my daughter was a baby she loved eating mashed bananas and avocados!

  • Emily July 22, 2009 at 10:53 am

    I’m totally making the smoothie for breakfast – my dad used to call them liquado’s? not sure if they included bananas or not…I’ll have to find out!

  • cathy July 22, 2009 at 11:45 am

    I spent the first 34 years of my life detesting avocados, and then I got pregnant with my second child and my tastes changed a bit. Now, I can easily just munch on a plain avocado.

    I’m going to give avocado with a little sugar or with banana a try. And the smoothie is intriguing. I’m a little scared of it, but I must try it!

  • Tangled Noodle July 22, 2009 at 12:03 pm

    This is so great! Although I’ve never had them together, avocados and bananas sound a like a perfect combo of textures and flavors. And this drink takes me back to when my mom used to make avocado ‘shakes’ all the time when I was a kid.

    Making it into an ice cream is brilliant! No eggs and no heavy cream – just 3 very healthy ingredients. I can’t believe you made it by hand; I’m so reliant on my IC machine.

    Thanks so much for participating in the IC Social! I can’t wait until we post the round-up and announce winners. I’ll hopefully be posting another frozen treat on Friday, along with a preview of the design my sister created for the t-shirt prize!

  • NoMeatAthlete July 22, 2009 at 12:43 pm

    Wow that seems like an awesome smoothie! (I guess it’s a smoothie still, right?) And so few ingredients. On my list!

  • Lori July 22, 2009 at 12:46 pm

    VeggieGirl – Different isn’t it? Not something I would have thought of on my own.

    Erica – Yes, try them with a little sugar. It’s actually really good.

    lauren – Can’t wait to hear what you think!

    sangeeta – There are a lot of avocados here, but they are different variety than the ones we get in the US. I tend to like the ones there more, such as Haas, but the ones here work for now.

    Stephanie – I remember you mentioning you had one after you run and it reminded me of Nani’s comment on my blog. It is SO good!

    Jennifer – That’s great. Sounds like it may be out and about around the US some too.

    Emily – Can’t wait to hear how you like it!

    cathy – I’ve only grown to like them in the last few years. Since having that salad at the restaurant I think chopped up avocado and banana would make a good side dish, and do try it with the sugar!

    Tangled Noodle – After I started thinking about the ice cream I had the same thought – only healthy fat in there! I’m anxious to try it in my machine once I get it back. It wasn’t too bad to make in the freezer, but I bet the texture would be better in a machine.

  • Lori July 22, 2009 at 12:48 pm

    NoMeatAthlete – Yeah, I think a smoothie. I was trying to figure that one out, too. I actually don’t like smoothies that much, but this one is great. Kind of redefines the “smooth” in “smoothie”. Ha!

  • Sagan July 22, 2009 at 6:36 pm

    That looks wonderful! I don’t like avocados except when its in sushi, but I bet it would be PERFECT in a smoothie/ice cream… the flavor would come from the banana but the avocado would lend the most amazing creaminess.

  • Ricki July 22, 2009 at 6:54 pm

    I’ve baked muffins, made chocolate pate, and avocado ice cream–but have never thought to mix it with banana! Must give this a try. It sounds totally delicious. (And if you’re feeling adventurous, try the avo ice cream on my blog).

  • burpandslurp July 22, 2009 at 7:59 pm

    avocados and banana…that’s so intersting! I’ve gotta give it a try myself!

  • Marianne (frenchfriestoflaxseeds) July 22, 2009 at 9:36 pm

    I’m pretty sure I need to try this asap. I usually have bananas and avocados hanging out in my house. I think I’ll throw a banana in the freezer right now!

  • Alison July 22, 2009 at 10:27 pm

    One of the guys at my church lived in Brazil for several years. He came home loving avocado shakes. I’d never even thought of such a thing when he first made it for a party. I thought it was disgusting. I still wouldn’t like it – since I hate avocados, but I no longer think it’s an awful idea.

  • The Happy Runner July 23, 2009 at 12:01 pm

    Two of my favorite foods –together! Oh, my. I’ve never thought of that but will have to try it!!!

  • Meredith (Pursuing Balance) July 23, 2009 at 12:19 pm

    That sounds really good! Can’t wait to try it.

  • Yasmeen July 23, 2009 at 3:36 pm

    How healthy! Wish I could grab that glass of nutritious smoothie,love that ice cream too,yum!

  • kat July 23, 2009 at 3:59 pm

    I’ve seen a few versions of avocado ice cream & its always sort of scared me but maybe I need to try it….

  • Reeni♥ July 23, 2009 at 4:14 pm

    This sounds like a delicious combo. I bet the ice cream is divine! I just saw an avocado cheesecake on another blog!

  • Michelle @ Find Your Balance July 23, 2009 at 7:12 pm

    What a great idea! Super creamy. Love it.

  • Daily Spud July 24, 2009 at 5:23 am

    Oh my! This just begs to be tried. Next time I’ve got avocados and bananas, I am making this happen 🙂

  • Sweta July 24, 2009 at 7:50 am

    It’s called “Butterfruit” in India-and I honestly never knew that it was used for savory stuff till we came to the US.I remember my mom would mix the pulp with a little milk and sugar,and we would eat it chilled topped with some fresh cream.The milkshakes are also quite popular in the juice bars in Bangalore.
    Must try the ice-cream-would be perfect to beat the heat!!

  • Lori July 24, 2009 at 10:44 am

    Sagan- Yes, you really couldn’t tell a strong avocado flavor. At least not to me.

    Ricki – Thanks! I’ll definitely have to look it up. I hadn’t seen it yet.

    burpandslurp and Marianne – It is such a great combo. Hope you like it!

    Alison – Sometimes its good to learn about the foods of other cultures, but we still don’t like them. I hear ya.

    The Happy Runner – I know! Its like it was there all along.

    Meredith – Thanks for stopping by. Hope you like it!

    Yasmeen – The health benefit is really the best part. Nothing really bad about it and something can be subbed for the dairy.

    kat – It scared me too. That’s why it took so long to try it. Go for it!

    Reeni – Cheesecake? How cool! That’s a great idea. I’d love to try the ice cream in a real maker sometime to see how it turns out.

    Michelle & Daily Spud – I was a little worried about it looking, or for that matter sounding, appealing, but it turned out okay. The creaminess is amazing! Try it if you get the chance!

    Sweta – What a great name! Your version growing up sounds great. I think we really get its savory use from Mexico. Then on No Reservations for Chile I saw they use it in a savory manner there as well.

  • OysterCulture July 25, 2009 at 8:46 pm

    We’re smoothy fans here and this looks like a tremendously good combo. Look forward to trying.

  • Debinhawaii July 26, 2009 at 1:56 am

    I love them on their own but have never tried them together–looks interesting and delicious!

  • Jamie Walker July 30, 2009 at 10:38 pm

    I am glad other people enjoy their avocados sweet. I think they are delicious (and add texture) to smoothies and I love them with sugar. Actually, I also love them with salt. I’m kind of a fiend.

  • Andy November 30, 2009 at 3:49 pm

    I’ve recently come into posession of a load of freegan food, including avacados and bananas, all thrown away by supermarkets well before the true “use before” dates.

    ALL the avacados were not even ripe, and half the bananas were still green.

    Problem with avacados (and mangoes too!) is once they do come ripe, they are only so for a couple of days!

    Anyway – it was obvious to me – I didn’t have any lemons, etc, to make a guacomole – but I had lots of bananas…

    Hmm.. nice and starchy bananas and ripe avacado of a similar texture… and I am not a sweet tooth.

    Chop ’em all up together into a fruit salad and it really is gorgeous. Especially to those of us without a sugary bent.

    A match made in heaven!

    Great starter – I have a juicy Sirloin Steak too look forward to for entree’s

  • 5 Star Foodie May 20, 2010 at 5:57 am

    Excellent smoothie with avocado banana combo! Thanks so much for sending over for the 5 star makeover!

  • Anonymous May 7, 2012 at 10:56 am

    Wow, I never heard of sprinkling sugar on the avos, and it was great!

    I also like to slice up a firm banana, and eat them with a lightly-salted avocado mash; an easy, tasty snack!!

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