Preparing & Cooking Fresh Plantain

How to cook Plantains

	Common Names:	Plantain, Cooking Banana, Bocadillo, Beer Banana, potatoes of the air
	Family:	Musaceae
	In Season:	Autumn
	Buying:	Choose firm specimens which are not too hard, squidgy, mouldy or cracked. As they can be cooked at various stages of ripeness, the colour will depend on the end result you wish to achieve. Green to yellow - the flavour is bland and its texture is starchy which is suitable for cooking and serving as you would potatoes. Brown to black, the flavour is sweeter although it keeps its firm shape when cooked and is more akin to young parsnips. If you wish you can buy green ones and ripen them at home.
	Storing:	Up to 8 days in a cool, dry, dark place depending on ripeness. Do not store in the refrigerator.
	Serving Allowances:	½ per person

General - Preparing Plantains

Although plantains are strictly speaking a fruit, they are always used as a savoury ingredient. Always cook plantains - do not eat raw.

Most recipes will call for plantains to be peeled. The way you peel them depends on their stage of ripeness. Green plantains should be washed first then the ends cut off, and the fruit cut across into to sections about 10cm/4-inches long. Cut through the very thick peel lengthwise along its four ridges just down to the flesh then remove each strip of skin, working sideways rather than downwards and remove any woody fibres. Once you are used to this method, you can omit cutting the fruit into lengths before peeling. Ripe brown or black plantains can be peeled just like a banana. Ripe Plantains are also delicious baked in their skins.

Optional Preparations/Cuts (see Main Vegetable Preparation Page for explanations and photos)

Baton	Brunoise	Chunk	Cube	Dice/chop	Grate	Julienne
Y	x	Y	x	x	x	x

Matchsticks	Mashed	Paysanne	Puréed	Shred	Slice	Sulfrino
x	Y	x	Y	x	Y	x

Suitable methods and timing for cooking Plantains

Bake/Roast

Whole Ripe in skin = 40 - 45 minutes. Cut a lengthwise slit in each plantain before placing on a baking tray.

Ripe, peeled, 1cm/½-inch slices = 15-20 minutes. Place in a single layer, dot with butter or coat with oil and turn from time to time

Boil

Ripe whole/chunks = 20 minutes
Green whole/chunks = 30 minutes

Fry/Sauté

Green or Ripe 1cm/½-inch Slices or Batons = 8 - 10 minutes. Sauté in butter or oil. Sprinkle with sugar to caramelise or salt just before removing from the pan.

Microwave

Steam

Ripe = 30-35 minutes

Stuff

For ease of reference, below are direct links to main sections on this site

Recipes4us is a lifestyle website featuring food related articles and sections on travel, culture, sport, health, gardening, home, history and reference covering all aspects of understanding, preparing and cooking food.
	We are confident that there is something for everyone and we are constantly adding new recipes, articles and other food and cooking related material. All recipes are published for your convenience and are both suitable and tasty enough to be eaten by anyone without food allergies, as part of a normal diet.

Soups & Starters Soups | Fish | Other | Vegetarian

Desserts and Puddings Cold Desserts | Hot Puddings |Quick Desserts

Cakes & Bakes Biscuits, Cookies, Pastries | Breads | Cakes

International Worldwide A to Z | British | Chinese | Indian

Special Diets Dairy Free | Gluten Free | Vegan | Egg Free

All recipes are published for your convenience and are both suitable and tasty enough to be eaten by anyone without food allergies, as part of a normal diet. We advise you to consult a qualified doctor before starting any special diet. If you suffer from and food allergies, always check the ingredients on the label of pre-prepared products. No correspondence can be entered into regarding medical matters.

Plantain

How to prepare Plantains

How to cook Plantains

General - Preparing Plantains

Although plantains are strictly speaking a fruit, they are always used as a savoury ingredient. Always cook plantains - do not eat raw.

Optional Preparations/Cuts (see Main Vegetable Preparation Page for explanations and photos)

Suitable methods and timing for cooking Plantains