One of Nigeria’s most eaten carb has to be the plantain, a close relative of the banana family, plantains present themselves as a more complex fruit that is used in a variety of dishes. Their sweet and mature taste make them a tantalizing option to include in meals, if you’re looking to try out this staple, we’ll show you how to select the best plantains to cook and the different ways you can cook plantains.

What is a Plantain?

A plantain is a fruit that is part of the banana family, Musaceae. It is native to tropical regions in Central and South America, but is now widely cultivated in many other parts of the world and has become a household favorite especially in Africa.

Nutritional value of Plantain

Plantains are an amazing source of fiber, producing a great amount of the dietary fiber that the body needs daily. Plantains are rich in minerals like, Vitamin C, Potassium and Vitamin A. Plantains have a low fat content that makes them a great addition to add to a diet.

Difference between Plantains and Bananas

While the plantain is a relative to the banana (Musaceae) and share some similarities, they are very different in other aspects.

For starters, plantains larger are than bananas and they have a thicker skin compared to bananas. Plantains also have flesh that is denser than bananas, because they have thicker flesh than bananas, plantains aren’t usually eaten raw and are most times cooked before consumption unllike bananas.

Plantains also have the more complex flavor, while bananas are sweet plantains are less sweeter and have a very slight bitterness that gives it a mature taste making it an attractive option for cooking.

How do I know if a plantain is ripe?

The first way to know is that when a plantain ripens it’s skin turns from green to yellow when it is ripe and eventually black when they become overripe. A black plantain, is good for baking while a yellow plantain is ripe and can be used in sweet dishes. Green or unripe plantains are best for savory dishes that require a firmer texture because they are unripe.

Plantains that are ripe should be firm but not overly so. A ripe plantain should give slightly when pressed gently. Plantain is considered to be overripe and usually should be discarded if it is too soft or mushy (but we’ll show you a great way you can use soft plantains). Ripe plantains have a sweet aroma, similar to that of a banana.

How to know the best plantains to buy

Picking out the best of the bunch plantains for cooking entirely depends on the kind of cooking you’re getting up to whether you’re looking to add plantains to a blend or just outright cook them here’s a few things you should look out for when selecting plantains.

Texture: When you touch plantains, they should be firm and free of splotches that indicate bruises and other imperfections. You should try squeezing the plantain delicately to ensure it isn’t excessively delicate or soft, as this can show that it is overripe and it may not be what you’re looking for.

Color: The plantain’s color can tell you if this bunch is what you’re looking for. Green plantains are best used for unsweetened dishes, while yellow plantains, which are riper are better for for frying and baking.

Size: Smaller sized plantains are suitable for frying while larger plantains do well in dishes and baking.

Smell: Unripe plantains may have a more earthy scent to them, whereas ripe plantains have a sweet aroma.

Easy and Creative ways to cook plantains

Fried Plantains

Frying plantains is one of the most common ways to prepare them and great as a stand alone dish or can be a side dish to complement other meals. Ideally you want to use ripe plantains when frying, slice your plantains into thin rounds shapes, heat oil in a frying pan, and fry the plantains until golden brown and crispy for fried plantains.

Boiled Plantains

While fried sweet plantains is the popular method, plantains can also be boiled. This is usually done to make the plantains firmer and sweeter. It is also an alternative way for people to eat plantains without having to fry it and worry about cholesterol levels. Green plantains are more commonly boiled as much as yellow plantains are, these boiled plantains are topped with stew or eaten with fried eggs.

Baked Plantains

Baking plantains is another way to avoid excessive oils in your meal, simply slice brush your plantain slices with oil, placing them on a baking sheet. Then bake them in the oven until they are tender and golden brown.

Roasted Plantains

Roasted plantains is a famous street delicacy on the streets of Nigeria that add a smoky flavor to the dish. It is made by simply roasting plantains over a grill till they have a hard outer texture.

Plantain Pancakes

If you have black plantains, here’s a way you can utilize them without letting your plantains go to waste. Get your black plantains and blend them till they have a smooth consistency, then mix them into flour with sugar and them simply fry them.

Plantain chips

Plantain chips are a snack that can be made from plantains. Unripe plantains and ripe plantains can be used when making plantain chips. When slicing your plantains make sure you get them into thin slices, heat up your oil till it’s hot enough to immediately bubble when you drop your plantains in them and fry your plantains for 3 to 5 minutes till they’re golden brown.

Plantain Porridge

Rather than using yams, you can make your porridge with plantains as the staple carbohydrate instead. Cut your plantains into chunks and boil in a pot of salted water, slice onions over the pot and add your palm oil and seasonings once the mixture is boiling. Crush a few of the plantains to paste to get a thicker paste in your porridge and once you let the pot boil for around 1o mins set it down and stir, you can garnish the porridge with leaves for taste.

What Goes Well With Plantains?

Pairing plantains with the right meals can take their flavor and texture to the next level. The inclusion of plantains to a dish can help to balance out the richness of a meal by adding elements of sweetness to it, knowing what goes well with plantains is key and here’s a few meals that go well with plantains.

Beans

Beans and plantains are a nigerian favorite, the way the two compliment each other with sweetness of the plantain and the plain taste from the legume.

Rice

Rice and Plantain is another mashup that always works well, accompanied with a protein like chicken and you have yourself an amazing meal.

Protein

Plantain goes well with a large variety of proteins, from chicken to fish to eggs.

Conclusion

Whether you’re new to plantains or you’re looking for a way to spice up plantain recipes or there area lot of ways of cooking and we’ve given you a few! If you’re thinking of give plantains a shot, why not get your fresh plantains or plantain chips from us at Niyis? It’s possible that you’ll discover a new favorite dish that will end up in your favorite recipe book.