[Sca-cooks] RE: SC - bananas

[Olwen the Odd]

>In Gerard's Herball, (originally publ. 1597, I have the Johnson 1633 ed.)
>Lib. 3, Chap. 136 "Of Adams Apple tree, or the West-Indian Plantaine"
>...This Plant is found in many places of Asia, Africke, and
>America, especially in the hot regions: you may find frequent mention of it
>amongst the sea voyages to the East and West Indies, by the name of
>Plantaines, or Platanus, Bannanas, Bonnanas, Bouanas, Dauanas, Poco, &c.
>Some (As our Author hath said) haue iudged it the forbidden fruit;
>other-some, the Grapes brought to Moses out of the Holy-land."

>We have, therefore, two viable methods for an intentional circa-1500s
>import of a banana into England. Pickling of the ripe fruit, or shipment of
>a fruiting live plant.
>
>Comments?
>
>Cindy

My question, I suppose, would be are they talking about plantains or
bananas?  Perhaps they are talking of both, but they are different.  If he
hung the bunch in the window and they lasted that long I would think he was
talking about plantains.

I was actually wondering about plantains this morning, thinking to ask the
list if they may be period as I am thinking of making some for Cooks Guild
on Saturday.
Olwen
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