5 ripe bananas
3 tbsp. fresh lime juice
2/3 c. fresh orange juice or water
1 1/2 c. sugar
1/2 vanilla bean, halved lengthwise and cut in thirds
1/8 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. banana liqueur (optional)

Peel the bananas and thinly slice or mash with a fork. Place the bananas in a heavy saucepan with the lime juice, orange juice, sugar, vanilla bean and salt and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and gently simmer the banana jam until thick, about 30 minutes, stirring often. Stir in the banana liqueur and remove the pan from the heat.

Leave the vanilla bean in the jam; it's pretty. Spoon the jam into 3 (6-ounce) canning jars that have been sterilized. Fill the jars to within 1/8-inch of the top. Screw on the lids. Invert the jars for 5 minutes, then reinvert. Let the jam cool to room temperature. Store the jam in a cool dark place. Refrigerate the jam once opened; it will keep for several weeks. This recipe yields 3 (6-ounces) jars.