Bananas, besides being healthy for you, are
quite versatile. For instance, did you know that a banana peel can be
utilized in a variety of beneficial ways? Most of us simply eat the
banana and discard the peel right away. But the next time you are about
to do so, you should keep it. Because you would be surprised to know the
different uses a banana peel can offer. Apart from being quite healthy,
you can also use it to polish your shoes, tenderize your meat, and
more. Let’s take a look at some of the unusual and surprising banana
peel uses that you hadn’t thought of yet.
1. Polish silver
If the silverware around your house is
beginning to lose its shine, then, before going to a professional, try
rubbing some banana peels on them. The skins of these fruits contain
oils and other substances like potassium that can be useful in cleaning
various metal products.
All you have to do is toss some banana peels in a blender, add some
water, and make a thick paste. Then, rub the paste on your silver for a
few minutes with the help of a soft cloth. Next, simply wash the
silverware with warm water, and voila! Your silver will be shining
bright again.
2. Add them to a smoothie
There are plenty of wonderful nutritional benefits of banana peels. They
are a great source of fiber, potassium, antioxidants, and many other
vital nutrients. They are also rich in vitamin A and lutein. Hence,
rather than throwing them away, you can add banana peels to your
favorite smoothie for extra nutrients.
However, make sure that before tossing it into the blender with the
smoothie, you first chop off the stem and nub at each side and wash the
peels thoroughly. Alternatively, you can also boil and strain a few
peels to make a nutritious banana peel juice that can be added to your
regular smoothie.
3. Strengthen your compost pile
Your leftover banana peels can also be added to your garden’s compost
pile as they provide a nutrient-rich supplement to the soil.
Furthermore, they will definitely give the plants more calcium,
potassium, magnesium, phosphates, sodium, and sulfur. Generally, a
full-sized banana peel will take three to four weeks to decompose.
Just cut the banana peels into smaller pieces and add them to the
compost pile. Next, add some produce and yard based plant matter to the
compost pile to strengthen it. If the pile is a little too dry, then add
a little water to it to make sure it remains damp. Also, airflow is
essential to banana breakdown and the composting process, so keep
turning the compost from time to time.
4. Tenderize meat
Banana peels act as a great meat
tenderizer. If you are cooking something tender and juicy, just place a
few peels on the top or bottom of the roasting pan before you start
cooking and leave it like that for about half an hour. A banana peel
will also work as a blanket for a meat dish that’s more prone to drying
out in the oven (like chicken breast or turkey) and doesn’t let the
moisture from it vaporize.
The meat will absorb the oils and moisture from the banana peel as they
will steam, helping it remain juicy and tender.
5. Polish Your Shoes
It may have happened many a time that while
leaving home, you realized that your shoes aren’t polished.
Unfortunately, you don’t have the time to sit and polish them as you are
in a hurry. Next time, instead of going out with dirty boots, just grab
a pair of banana peels and rub them gently over your shoes. Yes, these
peels are a terrific natural way to keep your leather or faux-leather
shoes shiny. The potassium and waxy quality of the peel help get rid of
the scuff marks from the shoes and make them shiny again. Once you are
done rubbing the banana peel on the shoes, wipe off any remaining
residue with a soft cloth and get ready to wear your shiny pair.