| Mash the bananas and in a bowl mix the bananas with baking soda. Let sit for 2 minutes. The baking soda will react with the acid in the bananas which in turn will give the cookies their lift and rise. Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg and continue to beat until the mixture is light and fluffy. Mix the banana mixture into the butter mixture. Mix together the flour, salt, and spices and sift into the butter and banana mixture and mix until just combined. Fold into the batter the chocolate chips or nuts if using. Drop in dollops onto parchment paper-lined baking sheet. If you don't have parchment paper just the cookie sheet should be fine. The cookie doesn't stick too bad to the cookie sheet. Bake at 350° for 11-13 minutes or until nicely golden brown. Let cool on wire rack. | 
