Originally Posted by Lagniappe

Hi Joe,
I can't say if they (banana leaves ) add flavor but I can say for certain that they are used extensively anywhere that they are grown .
We humans , being so resourceful, use whatever is available and economical in our food prep.
Take tamales , for example . My family has used corn shucks / husks to encase their tamales for cooking for as long as anyone can remember .
When I asked why , I was told simply that they were always available .
I lived in belize for just over a year and in Panama for a little over two years and every tamale I ate was encased in , you guessed it , banana leaves . Why? , There was no corn being grown in the regions and banana plants were everywhere . I have also had fish ,rice , iguana ,prawn ,cayman and iguana eggs that were prepared wrapped in banana leaves ,cooked on beds of coals,with coals placed on top .
I use them in dishes here(When entertaining) . Not because they are practicle but more for the exotic flare that you asked about .