lovers with long flavor memories will recall the banana pie, a seasonal treat from the local hand pie maker.
It’s been out of circulation for 14 years, but Hubig’s is now bringing it back as its latest seasonal flavor for a limited time, and there’s even a launch party around it.
I was able to sample the first batch and can confirm it is a banana blast from the past that tastes in sync with the summer season. The filling has a tropical, mellow-sweet taste, like an extra creamy banana pudding encased in the fried and iced crust.
Some Hubig’s faithful swear by heating their pies with a quick zap in the microwave (just 25 seconds is the official Hubig’s heating recommendation).
But here’s my own hack just for this one: put it in the freezer for about two hours (or enough time so it's thoroughly chilled but not frozen solid), then remove and eat immediately. The chilled filling becomes something like a fluffy ice cream and the whole pie tastes like a handheld banana split in pastry. Absolutely delicious on a hot day.
Pie party!
Retail distribution of banana pies begins Monday, July 27, the anniversary of that destroyed the original Hubig’s factory and led to a decade-long brought for the treats.
The new banana pies will be turning up at local stores that carry Hubig’s Pies through the week based on their regular delivery schedules (that means not every store will have them on Day 1).
But first, Tipitina’s (501 Napoleon Ave.) is on Saturday, July 25, with samples of Hubig’s banana pie and live music from Big Chief Juan Pardo & The Golden Comanche and Dave Jordan & The NIA.
Admission is free, with doors at 7 p.m. and bands beginning at 8 p.m. There will be a Savory Simon costume contest (the baker logo emblazoned on Hubig’s pie wrappers; you know New Orleans has plenty of these stashed in its costume closets).