Tiny bananas offer a slice of heaven Banana Upside Down Cake

The banana originated in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific islands. Its name is derived from the Arabic word “banan,” which means finger. One of the first plants to be cultivated, the banana bears the scientific name musa sapientum, which means “fruit of the wise men.”

There are plenty of flavorful varieties all over the world, including the little sweet bananas, redolent of honey, that I grew up eating in India. The Cavendish banana, named after the seventh Duke of Devonshire, is the most popular grocerystore variety in America.

Many parts of the United States are conducive to banana trees, including Florida, California and Texas. It is not uncommon to see clusters of bananas hanging down from trees in backyards.

Being partial to the tiny red or yellow varieties that appear occasionally in grocery stores, I was thrilled to pick up an entire cluster of tiny bananas from a young grower at the farmers market. Sweeter and more intense in flavor, it made for a delicious base for an upside-down cake. 2 tablespoons melted butter 2 tablespoons cane sugar

7-8 small bananas

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 ½ teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon baking soda 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon ½ teaspoon ground black pepper ½ teaspoon salt

2 eggs

2⁄3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

1⁄3 cup maple syrup

2⁄3 cup plain whole-milk yogurt Zest from 2 oranges

Instructions: Heat the oven to 350 degrees.

Brush melted butter on a 9- to 10-inch pan, preferably with a removable bottom. Sprinkle cane sugar over melted butter.

Peel the bananas, slice them in half lengthwise and place them cut-side down on the pan, fitting as many as possible.

Stir together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, black pepper and salt.

In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, olive oil, maple syrup, plain yogurt and the zest of two oranges until evenly mixed. Stir in the dry ingredients and pour the batter evenly over the bananas.

Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a tester inserted just in the cake part comes out clean. Let the cake rest for 5 to 10 minutes, then unmold and flip over. Serve with sliced oranges.

Notes and variations

This cake is best eaten within hours of preparing — even better when shared with friends or neighbors.

To make a gluten-free version, use equal combination of almond flour and rice flour instead of all-purpose flour.

Maple syrup is delicious but not essential; substitute ½ cup cane sugar.

Makes 10-12 slices

Ajna Jai / Contributor Sweet and intensely flavored tiny bananas are the key to Banana Upside Down Cake.