MASHING POTATOES & PUMPKIN
Start with large chunks of cooked potato or pumpkin in a straight sided saucepan. Use a potato masher to keep squashing the vegetables until they are smooth and there are no obvious lumps. You have to use your muscles when mashing so it might be easier to move the saucepan to a lower table so that you can put your weight behind it. Every now and then, tap the handle of the masher on to the saucepan so that the vegetables fall back into the bowl.
MASHED BANANA
Bananas that are used in banana muffins or banana bread are mashed first. To do this, lay the peeled banana onto a plate and use the back of a fork to press down on to it from one end to the other. Use very ripe bananas because they are easier to mash and also have the best flavour when baking