What vegetable did British cooks substitute for bananas during World War II?

Britain’s love affair with bananas stretches back to the first imports in 1633, but rationing during World War II forced banana lovers to take a years-long break and consider some less savory alternatives.

While bananas were initially available during the first year of the war, supply cutoffs limited imported food. By November 1940, Britain banned the fruit, rerouting the refrigerated ships bananas arrived on to more important war efforts. Banana-loving Brits coped with humor, popularizing songs such as “When Can I Have a Banana Again?” and “Yes We Have No Bananas,” but when music wasn’t enough to conquer a craving for the tropical fruit, home cooks turned to something more imaginative: faux bananas.

Following a recipe by Marguerite Patten, a chef famed for her ration-book approved substitutions, home cooks made mock bananas by boiling and mashing parsnips, then flavoring the result with banana extract. A few drops of yellow food coloring could further add to the disguise before the mash was spread onto bread for a substitute banana sandwich. These clever attempts didn’t easily fool adults familiar with the fruit. However, historical accounts suggest the improvised dish could be served to children with fewer complaints, considering many born during wartime had never actually tasted a real banana.

Britain resumed banana imports at the end of 1945. The first shipments were reserved for children, many of whom had to be shown how to peel and eat their first real banana.