Traditional Banana Pudding

Banana pudding. A comforting, rich traditional dessert I grew up with. Though I was born in California, my parents and their families all hail from Georgia and South Carolina, going back many, many generations. For the holidays, spring, summer, fall and winter, there was always traditional banana pudding. Rich, sweet, topped with loads of meringue and best eaten warm right from the oven.

My dad would usually make it. I can still see him standing over the stove, stirring and stirring the pudding. His large sun-tanned hands, carefully peeling and slicing the bananas. He loved sweets and was often the one who would make the desserts. It was traditionally served in a particular Pyrex bowl. I remember it coming out of the oven, the meringue toasty brown like a marshmallow over a campfire. I could even hear the faint crunch of the toasted meringue as I scooped out a portion of the warm pudding.

I have that vintage Pyrex bowl. And I have the memories. But not the exact recipe my dad used. However, I can remember the taste, smell and texture and how to assemble it.

A few years ago, I began searching for a recipe that was traditional, tasty, and authentic. After many trials, I almost gave up. Then I found this one online: https://www.browneyedbaker.com/traditional-southern-banana-pudding/

I learned a lot from this excellent recipe. But the biggest eye-opener was the fact that many people eat it with whipped cream. And they hate meringue. And they never ate it warm.

After I got over my shock and horror at this new info, I followed the recipe to a T. It seemed just right. On every level. Since then, I have made it NUMEROUS times. I have even cut the recipe in half for smaller gatherings and quick binges.

However, I do not use the pan like she does. I use the traditional family Pyrex bowl, and layer it up like a parfait; just like my mom and dad did. A friend suggested I use a clear bowl to show off the layers. But I don’t think it would taste as good. A banana pudding is about tradition and comfort. How it is served is part of that. When I put it in the traditional bowl, I can taste home. And family.