“Why did the banana go out with the prune?”/“Because he couldn’t find a date.”

A riddle about prunes and dates is:
 
Q: Why did the banana go out with the prune?
A: Because he couldn’t find a date.
 
The riddle has been cited in print since at least 1995. Other foods besides a banana have been used in the riddle.
 
   
Google Books
The Amazingly Simple Banana Diet
By Clifford Thurlow
London: Alma House Limited
1995
Pg. 23:
Why did the banana go out with the prune?
Because he couldn’t find a date.
 
7 October 1996, Kokomo (IN) Tribune, “A Little Bit of Humor,” The Bubble Gum Rapper, pg. B6, col. 3:
Pam: Why did the ghost go out with the prune?
Dave: because he couldn’t find a date!
 
30 June 1998, Pittsburgh (PA) Post-Gazette, “A Shared Burden,” pg. D-1:
Alex finally remembered: “Why did the radish go out with the prune? He couldn’t find a date.”
 
Google Groups: alt.humor.puns
“Puns of the Weak” 05/17/02
Stan Kegel
5/17/02
(...)
Why did the fig go out with the prune?
He couldn’t find a date (Daily Groaner)
 
Google Books
Penguin Pocket Jokes
By David Pickering
New York, NY: Penguin Books
2006
Pg. ?:
Why did the raisin ask the prune to go to the cinema?
Because he couldn’t find a date.
     
Twitter
Kelli
‏@Kelli_Reese
How about this one? Why did the tomato go out with the prune? Because he couldn’t find a date.
4:53 PM - 11 Mar 2009
 
Twitter
Kevin Brill
‏@kevinbrill
Q: Why did the raisin go out with the prune? A: Because it couldn’t find a date.
2:54 PM - 22 Apr 2009
 
Twitter
Morgan
‏@MorganF1
Why did the banana go out with a prune? Because it couldn’t find a date!!! Ha ha ha!!! :o)
5:34 PM - 22 May 2009
 
Google Books
Funniest Jokes For Kids
By Peter Crumpton
PeteyRF Creative
2015
Pg. ?:
Why did Billy go out with a prune?
Because he couldn’t find a date!
 
Google Books
1001 Kid’s Jokes
By Kay Barnham
London: Arcturus Publishing
2016
Pg. ?:
Why did the rhubarb go out with a prune?
Because he couldn’t find a date.