Camping Recipes: Banana Boats

Why do holiday weekends fly by so quickly?  It felt like the Memorial Day Weekend ended almost as soon as it started.  

We headed up to Taylor Park near Crested Butte for a 4 day camping trip and ATV extravaganza.  I've always said I couldn't decide if ATVs or camping cooking was what draws me most to camping, but luckily there's no need to pick a side...they can both be equally loved.

Let's talk camping cuisine.  There are just so many fantastic things to cook outdoors or over an open flame.  Roasted marshmallows are an obvious example.

Is there anything that compares to the crunchy outer roasted layer?  Do you pull it off and then stick the marshmallow back into the fire to roast again?  Thought so. 

I know s'mores are the classic camping favorite, but I'm partial to banana boats. Chocolate, bananas and melted marshmallows....it's like a banana split without the ice cream.   You can mix up the fillings to include peanut butter (we made those for the dogs), Snickers, Reeses peanut butter cups, coconut, pineapple or just about anything you can think of that tastes fantastic with bananas. 

You really only want to cook it long enough for the chocolate and marshmallows to melt--if you cook it too long the bananas become mushy.  No es bueno. 

Our campsite was pretty remote so when you looked around all you could see was that amazing Rocky Mountain beauty.    Great for taking in a book in the sunshine. 

Brooklyn was a bit hesitant at first but it wasn't long before she fell in love with the great outdoors...or freedom and no leashes as she saw it.  Throw in some stolen Pedigree dog food from the other dogs, and bits of fallen Cheetos, hot dogs, monkey bread, cookies and about a zillion other junk foods she'd never even dreamed of, and it quite possibly became the happiest weekend of her little peanut life 

Boston butt.

And the finished banana boat.  Good stuff fo sho.

Banana Boats

Bananas
chocolate chips
marshmallows
aluminum foil

1. Slit banana lengthwise but without cutting through bottom peel; place on sheet of foil
2. Stuff cut banana with chocolate chips, marshmallows and any other yumminess you can think of. Loosely wrap foil around banana.
3. Place in coals and heat until marshmallows and chocolate are melted but banana is not cooked and mushy (anywhere form 5-10 minutes depending upon coals)