Puiwa’s Banana Wontons named for a chimpanzee

Visits to the zoo aren’t just for kids anymore. The Hono­lulu Zoo Society has launched a new weekly program for adults 50 and older. Held every Friday in June, the Senior Safari Walkabout offers a guided walk through the Hono­lulu Zoo. Guests will tour the zoo while also learning about wildlife. For information about the Hono­lulu Zoo’s educational programs, call 971-7171.

Try this fun dessert recipe named after one of our favorite zoo friends, Puiwa the chimp.

PUIWA’S BANANA WONTONS WITH COCONUT-CARAMEL SAUCE

1 medium banana, mashed with a fork
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
16 wonton wrappers
1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted (may also substitute vegetable oil)
1/3 cup coconut milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Pinch of salt
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons water

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In small bowl, combine cinnamon and banana.

Place heaping teaspoon banana filling in center of each wonton wrapper. Brush edges of wrapper with small amount of water, fold into a triangle and press edges together to seal. Brush both sides of each finished wonton with oil.

Place wontons on baking sheet and bake 8-10 minutes or until corners are browned and crisp.

In small bowl, whisk together coconut milk, vanilla and salt; set aside.

In small saucepan over medium-high heat, combine sugar and water. Do not stir. Allow mixture to come to a boil. Mixture will turn golden, then light brown, and will begin to smell like caramel, about 6 minutes. When it turns brown, slowly pour in coconut milk mixture, whisking constantly and quickly. If sugar hardens around whisk, keep whisking until it melts.

Continue to heat over medium-high until mixture has thickened and turns light caramel in color, about 5 minutes.

Drizzle over wontons and serve with ice cream. Serves 4.

Approximate nutritional information, per serving (not including ice cream): 200 calories, 4 g fat, 3 g saturated fat, 5 mg cholesterol, 200 mg sodium, 39 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 17 g sugar, 4 g protein

———

More Hawaiian Electric Co. recipes are available at www.heco.com.