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We’re Bananas ‘bout BBQ

50 TONS OF BANANA PUDDING ARROW-CIRCLE-RIGHT We sell nearly 100,000 pounds of banana pudding annually across Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, with the lion’s share selling in Alabama, where banana pudding is a favored dessert. BLUE BELL BANANA PUDDING ARROW-CIRCLE-RIGHT Despite being available in only 23 states, Blue Bell remains one of the top-selling ice creams nationwide. Their Banana Pudding flavor is a delicious banana ice cream perfectly blended together

FINGERS AND HANDS ARROW-CIRCLE-RIGHT A cluster of bananas, called a “hand,” typically comprises 10 to 20 individual bananas, which are known as “fingers.”

WORLD’S FAIR ARROW-CIRCLE-RIGHT The Centennial Exposition, held in Philadelphia in 1876, marked the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Drawing nearly 10 million visitors, representing almost a fifth of the nation’s population, the exposition showcased groundbreaking inventions. Notable highlights included Alexander Graham Bell’s demonstration of the telephone and President Ulysses S. Grant’s introduction of the Corliss steam engine, a towering symbol of America’s industrial might. The exposition also introduced Heinz ketchup as “Catsup” and presented bananas as a novel attraction, sold wrapped in foil for 10 cents each.

with whipped topping and vanilla wafers. It was inspired by a Blue Bell family recipe.

DREAMLAND ARROW-CIRCLE-RIGHT John “Big Daddy” Bishop opened the first Dreamland Bar-B-Que, known as Dreamland Café, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, in 1958. It became a favored barbecue

destination among TV sports broadcasters during the 1970s and 1980s, as they covered the University of Alabama and Bear Bryant’s legendary Crimson Tide football team. That original Dreamland in Tuscaloosa was inducted into the inaugural class of the Alabama Barbecue Hall of Fame. Today, Dreamland operates in three states: Alabama, Georgia and Florida. They continue to uphold the tradition of preparing their pork spareribs just as Big Daddy did, grilling them over a hickory wood-fired pit and basting them with a vinegar based BBQ sauce. Dreamland’s Banana Pudding was voted Alabama’s Best in the 2024 South’s Best Awards by readers of Southern Living .

58 ROUSES SUMMER 2024