First Posted: 9/5/2014

Do you remember how Elvis Presley made pan-fried peanut-butter and banana sandwiches famous?

Phil Delzeit of Luzerne took The King’s idea, dipped it in funnel-cake batter, deep fried it and topped it with powdered sugar.

Hmm. Was there any way to make it even more indulgent and delicious?

Sure thing. Delzeit decided to serve it with chocolate-raspberry dipping sauce and branched out into five flavors — crunchy peanut, strawberry jelly, grape jelly, marshmallow fluff and chocolate chip.

He calls his creation the Panana — thanks to Delzeit’s daughter, Sara, for the name — and has served them to hungry folks at various fairs. The crafty cook also is thrilled to announce he’s been notified that he and his decadent, calories-be-darned treat will appear on The Cooking Channel, which is owned by The Food Network.

Delzeit’s appearance on the “Carnival Eats” show, which is hosted by Noah Cappe, will air at 2:30 a.m. Sept. 22, 10:30 p.m. Sept. 22, 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27 and 2 a.m. Sept. 28.

The show’s film crew caught up with Delzeit when he was at the Northeast Fair in Pittston Township, making Pananas and candy-apple cider.

Being filmed for the show was “awesome,” Delzeit said, and he’s looking forward to more and more people learning what a Panana is and wanting to try one.

Delzeit is making the seasonal circuit and up next is the Luzerne Fall Festival.

The PananaMan truck will be there from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13.

Delzeit’s PananaMan truck was parked outside the B’nai B’rith Apartments at the corner of East Northampton and South Washington streets in downtown Wilkes-Barre on Monday. A portion of the proceeds of his sales will go toward the creation of a community room in the high-rise apartment building, which is home to many senior citizens.