Quite a few years ago I used to lived in Japan where I taught English. I became friends with the other English teachers at the same school who came from Canada, England and the United States. Living next door to me was a nice girl from Seattle called Sarah. She was very easy going and I was me (i.e. highly strung, A- type) and the walls were very thin so we ended up hearing each other’s telephone conversations and got to know each other’s television viewing habits.
Sarah and I really did live life to different rhythms and her greetings always confused me. Every time we’d see each other coming home from work or going off to work, she’d say “What’s up?” and I really struggled with a response. I’d feel the need to explain that nothing was amiss and that I was perfectly fine and didn’t need anything nor was anything wrong. I only just twigged after a few weeks that it was just her way of saying hello and my little two minute explanation about my state of mind, body and spirit was about two minutes too long. I think I should have actually answered back “what’s up” but to be honest, to this day I don’t know what the appropriate response should have been. At a guess, perhaps “what’s up?”
Similarly, when I saw Adrian’s delicious recipe for Banana Que Pops I thought that que was another word and it was only days later that he meant that it was like a banana-que as in barbe-que. That was embarrassing especially when everyone else realised it straight away. These banana que pops are apparently a Filipino street food and are made using Saba bananas which are short and fat and quite floury. I actually found them quite easily at an Asian grocery store in the freezer and made them one day. I thought that they were delicious but the floury texture was almost taro like.
Now I don’t wish to offend a whole nation but I thought that whilst I loved the caramelised outer, what would be even better would be if we used regular Australian bananas which are easier to find. We did a blind taste test and it was unanimous, whilst people liked both, the Australian bananas were preferred for their extra sweetness and creamy texture. If you want to try the authentic Filipino version, by all means try the saba bananas but if you find these hard to find, Australian bananas will do just fine-the caramelised coating is divine with the cold banana inside. Now if you’ll excuse me, we’re going to make some more this long weekend!
So tell me Dear Reader, what do you think would have been the correct response to “what’s up?” And do you like grilled or cooked fruit or do you just eat it fresh?
Bananaque Pops
Adapted from a recipe by Adrian Briones at Food Rehab
- 6 chilled, peeled bananas (if you use frozen saba bananas, let them thaw first)
- 3-4 tablespoons raw sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons brown sugar
- oil for shallow frying
- Bamboo skewers cut in half
1. Heat a frypan pan or bbq on medium to high heat. Meanwhile, mix the two sugars together on a plate and roll the bananas in the sugars coating them well.
2. Add oil to the hot pan or bbq and dry them on each side for a couple of minutes until they caramelise. If you need to, sprinkle a bit more of the sugar on the banana before turning it over. Serve on skewers.
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66 Comments | Add your own
I don’t think I can find saba bananas sto I’ll use regular bananas. They look amazing!
Wow! Those look GOOOOOOD!!!
They look totally irresistible!
Cheers,
Rosa
Yummmm
Boy, did that make me laugh – “What’s Up?” I remember being asked back in 1972, ancient history I know! “What’s your Bag?” How did an 18 year old girl answer that – not well; way too many words and stumblings, lol!!! Thanks for a walk back memory lane.
Caramelized bananas are the best!
I laughed at your response to “what’s up” because that is how I reacted to the British “you alright?” Which to an Aussie implies it looks like there is something wrong with you when you know there’s not! These look delish – and mod healthy too.
Well, being ESL once again I did not realise it was “Q” – i thought it was “q’weh”… Hehe not as embarrassing as my aforementioned ESL Pinterest mispronunciation. Therese sounds really good actually, we all love bananas!
Lol!!!When I came into USA in the beginning, many phrases threw me off guard. ‘What’s up’ was one of them. But I was fortunate to be able to observe the responses as well, which varied from ‘Good good’ to ‘Hey Man’ to’ Hiiiii!!’. I still haven’t figured out the most appropriate response, but I make do with ‘ going good’.
Those banana ques look very interesting.
Those bananas look like a wonderful snack. Caramel and banana go so well together. I don’t like being asked, ‘What’s up?’ I find it annoying. I had a friend that used to say that all the time too and I’d just say, ‘Nothing’. ‘What’s up?’ is not the same as ‘How are you?’ xx
Yum! In the Philippines they also do a sweet potato version, it’s called camote que. I actually prefer it better than banana que. And I usually like fresh fruit…. Unless it’s caramelized in sugar than I’d definitely choose the cooked fruit
Yum!! In the Philippines they also do a sweet potato version. It’s called kamote que, I actually prefer it over banana que. And I usually have my fruit fresh… Unless it’s caramelized then I’d definitely opt for the cooked fruit
I would probably have said something like “Not much.”
But then, I’m not as up on Americanisms as I should be.
These looks great–imagine with a great splash of rum as they are caramelizing. Yum.
Haha depending on the circumstance everyone can be at a loss sometime
You are not alone! But wow some serious love goes out to this!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Perfect end to a bbq! Must try this.
As for the response to What’s up? err… no idea!
Haha depending on the circumstance everyone can be at a loss sometime
You are not alone! But wow some serious love goes out to this! Yum!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
There’s something about cooked bananas isn’t there? I love them, they’re great. One of my favourite memories of childhood is cooking bananas in foil in a campfire with chocolate squares inside them. Delicious. Love the name bananaque as well!
LOL! One response might have been “hello!”, but I love the fact you kept her listening for two minutes. anyway, have to cut this short, I have some awesome fried bananas to make with a recipe a friend gave me
Firstly I was confused by Banana que cause Que is my nickname, and I didn’t get the BBQ thing….next very sensible advise about using Aussie bananas , sorry anyone who has grown up with this treat and lastly , I dont know what the correct thing to say is but I’ve watched movies and they sometimes say …..”Hey”…..dont they? I dont know Lorraine Im with you
I think the best response to a ‘what’s up’ is ‘hey, how you doing’ – hehehe. These banana looks great. I am still slightly traumatised by the banana prices after the floods last year and it is time to get back into bananas for me
Oh these sound yum …
Look at all that glossy caramel, yummo!
I’m always tempted to give an honest answer if someone I don’t know asks how I am- I figure it might make them think twice about insincere questions
In my circles, the appropriate response to “What’s up?” is “Not much. What’s up with you?”
We use it more as a greeting that means “hey – what are you up to?”
haha, it’s an odd expression. i always respond with, “nuthin much” – deep, huh?
here they grill plantains on the street and when i walk by i think, “that smells amazing!” and then i look at and think, “that look too weird!”
i think i need to get over that and just try them. now!
I’m not a fan of ‘what’s up’ either and I really have no answer for ‘what’s doing.’ They just baffle me!
This sounds divine. I can’t wait to try it.
Oh dear Lorraine! You made my day, really! “what’s up?” is so Seattle, and I didn’t realize it was confusing for other up until I read your post as I often ask my friends out off Seattle “what’s up” waiting for a very Seattle answer: “Not much!” with a smile…
Those bananas look very good, I am definitely making it soon!
These do look appetizing even to a gal who usually just peels a banana and eats it
! I used to get ‘What,s up, doc?’ for obvious reasons all the time: methinks friends soon learned to put a greeting another way, as there were always a hundred things going on in my life at any given time, AND I was likely to tell of quite a few given half the chance 
!!!
The reference “whats up” is so not common in the States. People here are more like, “how are you doing?” or “have a great day”, type of greetings
Delicious banana pop!
Yummo these look stunningly good! I guess What’s up? Is similar to how’s it going? Umm… It’s going fine :/ ?haha
PEANUT BUTTER.
That is all.
Holy cow, these look goooooood! Potential stupid question – is an Australian banana just a regular banana grown in Australia?!
Hi Korena, yep sure is!
We used cavendish bananas which is the most common type here.
I love cooked bananas, and for years have halved and fried them till really caramelised (without the sugar) to have with a potato cake thing I make…(grated potato, eggs, flour, corn kernels, bacon, parsley, s&p, mixed and panfried). I love the banana with that, but am so going to have to try the banana rolled in sugar…sounds like heaven on a stick!
I would probably reply to the very strange greeting ‘what’s up’ with a ‘hey’, but pre-tv days I would have been like you, but probably would have gone on for longer than two minutes ! haha
Viewing before breakfast, these DO entice!
I reckon they WOULD be very nice!
LOVE fruits grilled for presentation,
View them with the TLC made and elation!
“not much, ya self?”
Answer ‘the sky’.
Then get back to eating these deliciously decadent banana fritter-type things!! Makes me think of the 70s.
Lorraine, I read that exactly as you did, trying to sound out the word in my head.
To top it off, I lived in the Caribbean for a while and always got a “What’s up?” which was immediately followed by me explaining exactly what was up. I think people must have thought me rude for asking how they were too!
I’m from Canada and people there do the “What’s up?” thing too (though I have never liked that phrase) and the way most people respond back is “Not much, what’s up with you?”. I’ve always thought it was a rude greeting but to some people it is perfectly fine.
Lorraine, I am just so glad that you wrote about these Banana Que Pops today, as I have a whole stash of bananas that I just bought this week from a roadside stand up here in Far North Queensland and I was wondering what I was going to do with so many bananas.
I also did not get the que! Australian bananas taste completely different to ours. I would love these with a peanut butter topping
aww the little pops look so cute & yummy!
OH YUM !!
I remember this recipe from Adrian’s post! I didn’t know you were an English teacher in Japan. My English would be better if my teacher was like you – we can talk about food and I learn English naturally! Oh now you talk about “what’s up?”… I struggled with the answer too. That wasn’t in my English textbook. I know how to answer to the question “how are you doing?”
I should check out the frozen section – never thought we can get saba banana in freezer section! You have good eyes to catch it in freezer section because I always pass by…
I’m the same as you with the whole what’s up question. I say that to someone when they’re upset, as in what’s up-setting you?
When people ask me what’s up casually I generally just say “oh.. not much” because I don’t think they want my life story ;P
So simple but so amazing! Being a fructose malabsorber I am very limited as to what fruit I can have…thank goodness bananas are IN!
Ha Lorraine another great story! My brother-in-law is American and he does always greet me with a “What’s up?” and I reacted exactly the same as you at first, telling him about my whole day in minute detail lol! Now I’m more cool with it, I just reply the same as I would when someone asks me “How are you?” – “Good thanks dude how u doin’?” It seems the actual reply doesn’t really matter as long as you greet them back or say hello as well. I LOVE these banana ques or cues or whatever these are called. So simple. I’ll have it with a couple of scoops of vanilla ice cream on the side I think
My daughter in law is American, so it too took me a while to appreciate the true meaning of some of her phrases! Likewise I tend to greet people I know with ‘Hiya’, but this was being misinterpreted by some as me saying ‘How are you’ and I would get a literal run down of exactly how they were feeling!
In respect of fruit, I love it cooked or uncooked, except Bananas, which I would never eat in a million years, cooked or uncooked!
A lot of people say “what’s up” here. I just respond “hi!” It’s really the same thing.
These look great! I’ve never tried this particular banana so I might be more inclined to use fresh ones from the store.
In Lima some people (males) used to say “habla” (speech) instead of hello, I guess it’s more than a “what’s up”, I mean are they waiting for us to speak???
I finally made it back. Long day, long story. I want you to look at the time so you know I cared enough to do this before going to bed.
The bbq bananas look amazing! So easy too.
We just go back from our two week holiday in Europe, I’m catching up commenting. This looks like a lovely simple dessert for a warm evening. Sadly our evenings are turning cold as we are into fall.
What’s up……
Hey mate….
Lol I don’t think I would say either but they seem to work together.
I agree with what your saying about the frozen Saba bananas, they don’t do justice compare to the fresh version. The reason they taste floury is that they use almost unripe bananas, steam, pack then freeze ~ more firmer then the ripe ones and can handle the journey. I only encounter fresh ripe Saba every now and then and it’s like winning the lotto on finding some here in Brisbane =) Fresh “just right” ripe Saba are mild sweet but more firmer than your average bananas. Sugar and bananas….yum! You can add a scoop of ice cream on the side and then drizzle with caramel sauce, tell you sinful combination =)
Thanks for featuring an afternoon snack I adored as a child in the Philippines. Will make them one of these days when I feel homesick. Look forward to eating these with my daughter someday (when she’s older and can have sugar).
These look delicious! We tried fried panko crumbed bananas this weekend, with a honey and cinnamon sauce and coconut ice cream. They were nice, but I think I’d prefer your banana que pops. The caramelised coating sounds divine! x
omg. yes yes yes please. These look amazing!!! Thanks for the recipe
Heidi xo
OMG WANT!
Agree with Hannah’s comment above – PEANUT BUTTER ALL THE WAY!!!!!!!
“What’s up” is a less formal/more friendly way to greet your peers with the equivalent “How is everything going with you?” – at least in Canada. Or at least, in Toronto. Or at least, in my interpretation….
Great recipe, thanks Lorraine!
I found the British way of saying alright as a greeting odd until I got used to it! But I would have struggled more with What’s up? I think I like the sound of aussie bananas in this recipe -have recently seen some coconut coated bananas that looked great but were deep fried – wonder if you can shallow fry them like this
Ohhh I remember seeing the banana ques on Adrian’s blog
I’ve never really had banana pops so i’m not sure which one I’ll like more 
But i think i’ll like them both cuz lol i’m addicted to bananas ~ and with the toffee like syrup YUMMMEHHHHH 
Hmmm I’m not really a fan of fresh berry desserts or desserts with fresh fruit
I like my fruit desserts to either be cooked, stewed or baked 
this is an extremely delicious idea! what’s up? why, the sky, of course.
Oh heheh when I first saw this pic I thought, this looks exactly like the Filipino bananas that I used to love getting when I would visit my fam – soooo good! Ps: you lived in Japan and taught English?? That’s one of my pipe dreams! I’d love to hear more about your adventures there!
When i read your post, i can’t help but smile…i have tasted both Filipino Saba banana and Australian banana. the frozen saba does not give justice to the real “banana que”. When your in Asia try looking for vendors selling this delicacy, you will love it!
Love these! I’ll make them for my 90 y.o mum next time I’m there – she still loves barbequed bananas filled with peanut butter or nutella, so she’ll love these!
I think Wazzup reply is bro – wazzup… Mind you – I’m anal enough to go through all of the in and outs of a ducks bum of ‘wazzup in the world’ if I don’t really know the person, just to pee them off!!
Love your site – you are sooo not nigella – but sooo extraordinary and wonderful in your own right!! … but I guess you already know that…
Oh, Lorraine! You really should come to the Philippines one of these days! There’s so many things you’ll love to eat. Case in point: turon, banana-cue’s rice-paper-wrapped and deep-fried till caramelized sibling…
The proper response to “whats up” is “nothin’ much, how ’bout you?”
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