Bananahalas

We've had a nice break from the rain. Though we certainly appreciate all that Mother Nature has given us, this past sunny warm weekend is appreciated. As the summer season starts to sneak up on us, a lot of people are planning their getaways and a pivotal part of great memories is sitting around a campfire.

Become the star of the weekend with this twist on the traditional s'mores campfire treat. I call it "Bananahalas," after the fruit that is the base of the treat and the first place I tried it, here on the Nantahala.

Buy a bunch of bananas, not too green and not too squishy ripe. Peel one section of the banana skin back, but not all the way off. Scoop out, with a small teaspoon, the ripe banana fruit. Keep it and set aside. Scoop out enough to create a "bowl" or "trough" so you can put in chocolate chips and mini-marshmallows. Mash the banana fruit that you extracted earlier and then replace it on top of the chocolate chips and marshmallows. Place the banana peel back over the fruit and wrap entirely in aluminum foil.

Place the bananas in the campfire coals so the treat is heated through out.

After the bananahalas are hot, pull out and eat with a spoon. Careful-they might be hot. but oooh, it's worth it,  it tastes like a banana split. Enjoy and . . . don't forget the ghost stories.