Tropical Percy Street

I've seen banana trees selling at the Charleston Farmers Market and growing in the Lowcountry, but assumed they were for tropical and decorative flair rather than the actual fruit. I assumed this until I walked up Percy Street on the upper peninsula this morning and happened upon yard after yard with lush green trees bearing not only healthy looking green bananas but these impressive blossoms. How amazing!

Banana blossoms are the male flowers of the banana plant and used in Filipino dishes. I tracked down a recipe here.