The Most American Food In America

As American as apple pie is a phrase that needs some tweeking As good as apple pie is, it doesn’t seem very American. Seems German/Belgian in origin and hasn’t stood the test of time in the American kitchen. Meaning, not many people are baking apple pie.

But there is a confection whose popularity has stayed consistent un-celebrated. That has quietly usurped all foods to become Americas most quietly iconic snack treat. The humble…yet always enjoyed…Banana Bread. More of a cake then a bread; even the title is American, as we ignore dictatorial definitions to call it what we damn well please. Banana bread is a recipe every family has, and every family thinks theirs is best.

There is not a more common confection made in the American kitchen

Not only does every family make it…but everyone likes it. When was the last time you made banana bread and had to throw some away? Also, in more support of it’s unique Americanism are bananas themselves. This is a fruit we genetically changed to meet our specifications for shipping and consumption. We then set up South American plantations to grow them, just to import back home. Then we flooded the country with ’em so they were everywhere and inexpensive. At some point, most families have bananas going bad on the counter. Thus, the revolving door of browned over bananas; being thrown into butter, sugar, flour, leavening and whatever else your crazy family put’s in THEIR recipe.

So this July 4th, if what to bring to the BBQ is a question…check your freezer. Maybe there’s a Ziploc of old forgotten bananas Waiting to be resurrected into the American glory they were destined to be.