BANANA FRITTERS

½ C. Flour

Pinch of Salt

1 tsp. Baking Powder

1 Egg

1 Tbsp. Sugar

1 Tbsp. Unsalted Butter or Margarine melted

1/3 C. Milk

½ tsp. Grated Lemon Zest

Vegetable Oil for frying

4 Bananas

½ C. Confectioners Sugar

Sift together flour, salt, and baking powder into a bowl. In another bowl, beat together the egg, sugar, melted butter, milk and lemon zest. Add the flour mixture and stir until mixed. In a deep frying pan or wide sauté pan. pour in oil to a depth of 1½ inches and heat oil to 375~ or until a bit of bitter turns golden within a few moments of being dropped in the oil. Peel the bananas, cut in half lengthwise and then cut crosswise into 2 inch lengths. Spear banana piece onto a fork, dip into the batter and then tap the fork on the edge of the bowl to remove excess batter. Lower the banana into the hot oil and free it from the fork. Add additional banana pieces in the same manner, but do not crowd the pan. Spoon the hot oil over the bananas until they puff up, then fry until they are deep golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain. Repeat with remaining banana pieces. Serve warm dusted with confectioners sugar if desired