Plantain is a delicious fruit, and in this article, we will discuss everything about Plantain, such as what does it taste like? How can you cook it? Is it a healthy fruit? Etc.
To give you some much-needed clarity, we will also address some important queries related to Plantains.
What Is A Plantain?
Plantain is a banana variety and part of the genus Musa.
Plantains are eaten unripe and ripe and are starchy.
This fruit is used in several recipes and is a staple food in many tropical countries worldwide.
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What Does Plantain Taste Like?
Ripe Plantains taste a lot like bananas; they have a banana-like sweet flavor.
You can eat raw Plantain or fry it.
However, Plantain’s taste ranges from starchy to sweet because while Plantains resemble bananas, they don’t always taste like them.
Plantains are also firmer than bananas and have lower sugar content.
Ripe Plantain varieties have black spot skins.
How Is Plantain Made?
Here is how you can prepare a plantain for consumption:
Pick The Plantain
You can use a Plantain in any stage of ripeness.
Yellow and Green Plantains are difficult to peel.
While Plantains look a lot like bananas, you cannot peel them with your fingers like you would peel a banana.
You will need a sharp paring knife and a cutting board
to peel the Plantain.
The peel will come off easily if you cut across the Plantain’s diameter.
You can use this technique to cut both ripe and green Plantains.
Bring The Fruit To Room Temperature
Before peeling a Plantain, you must bring the fruit to room temperature.
If you have already stored the Plantain in the fridge, the cold temperature will make it tough for you to peel the fruit.
One trick you can use is to soak the Plantain in a bowl of hot tap water for a bit.
This will enable the Plantain to warm up.
Cut The Ends
Put the Plantain on a flat surface or a cutting board.
Cut the ends of the fruit and discard its tip.
This step is different from peeling bananas, but in order for you to peel the Plantain, its end must be open.
Slit The Peel
Firmly hold the Plantain by the tip of a paring knife.
Along the length of the Plantain, slit the peel.
You will need only to cut as deep as the thickness of the peel.
To easily peel the Plantain, make an incision in the center, around the circumference of the fruit.
You can cut the fruit in half if you don’t require the whole Plantain.
If you have a green Plantain, you should slide the knife’s edge under the peel’s edge, without cutting the flesh, to loosen the peel up.
Remove The Peel
Remove the peel from the Plantain by cutting it side to side and lengthwise.
The peel will most likely come off in pieces.
You might need the paring knife at each section’s edge to help loosen them from the Plantain’s flesh.
The peel of a green Plantain is stiff, while a yellow Plantain has a pliable peel.
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How Do You Cook Plantain?
Here is how you can cook Plantain:
Fried Plantain
Ingredients
- Ripe Plantains (Sliced in 2.5 cm pieces): 4
- Vegetable Oil: 350 ml (1 ½ Cup)
- Sugar or Kosher Salt: Optional
Instructions
Heat the vegetable oil (350 ml) in a skillet or frying pan and 375 Degrees Fahrenheit.
Put a deep pan or skillet on the stove and pour the oil.
On the side of the skillet or plan, clip a deep-fryer thermometer and put the burner on medium heat.
Heat the oil until it reaches the desired temperature (375 Degrees Fahrenheit).
If the oil continues to heat beyond the desired temperature, decrease the burner’s speed.
If you don’t have a thermometer, let the oil heat until it shimmers.
When you think the veggie oil is hot enough, put a piece of Plantain in the oil.
However, if the oil is not hot, it will release bubbles and start frying.
If the oil doesn’t start frying, wait for a minute and check the oil again.
Then, place several pieces of Plantain (4 to 5) in the hot vegetable oil.
If you are scared that the oil may burn your fingers or hand, plate the Plantains on a slotted spoon and lower the spoon into the skillet.
It is essential to fry the Plantains in bunches so that the temperature of the vegetable oil doesn’t decrease dramatically.
You will need to fry the Plantains in the oil for about 5 minutes.
Please set a timer and let the Plantains cook until they are golden brown.
Use a slotted spoon or a spatula to flip the Plantain halfway through the cooking process carefully.
This will give the Plantain a crispy texture and let the fruit brown on both sides.
Lower the burner’s temperature if you feel the fruits are browning too quickly.
Once the Plantains are fried, transfer them to a plate.
Ensure the plate is lined with a paper towel.
The paper towel will absorb the excess grease from the Plantains.
Sprinkle a bit of sugar on top of the fried Plantains, and enjoy!
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What Do You Eat Plantain With?
Here is how you can eat Plantains:
Garlic Sautéed Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is an underrated and underappreciated vegetable.
The vegetable has delicious stems and a rich flavor.
You can pair Garlic Sautéed Swiss Chard with Plantains.
The olive oil and garlic will enhance the flavor of the Plantains.
This dish is easy-to-make and extremely delicious.
Parmesan Cheese And Creamed Spinach
There are many different recipes for this dish, so that you can choose any one of them.
The nutty parmesan cheese and creamed spinach are delicious and go well with Plantain.
The spinach is cooked until it wilts and then combined with a creamy sauce.
The recipe is easy, and the dish is mouth-watering
Rice And Puerto Rican Chicken
This is a classic side dish from Puerto Rico.
The dish contains rice, pigeon peas, sofrito, and chicken.
This dish is easy to make and pairs well with Plantain.
The rice used in the dish is brown rice, which makes the dish healthy.
Is Plantain Good For You?
Here are some health benefits of eating Plantain:
Plantains Are Rich in Antioxidants
Plantains contain a high quantity of Vitamin C.
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can boost the immune system.
Antioxidants eliminate the free radicals in the body.
Free radicals are associated with some types of cancers and heart disease.
Plantains Promote Heart Health
The high potassium content in Plantains makes them good at maintaining body fluids and cells that control the blood pressure levels and heart rate.
The fiber content in Plantains can lower cholesterol levels, which keeps your heart healthy.
Related Questions About Plantain?
Where Can You Find Plantains?
Plantains grow in Central America, South America, the Caribbean Islands, Southeast Asia, and Africa.
However, you can easily get Plantains at your local grocery store.
Are Plantains Better Than Bananas?
Plantains have a lower sugar content than bananas, making them healthier.
Conclusion
In this article, we discussed different aspects of Plantains, such as the taste of Plantain, how you could cook them, their health benefits, and much more.
Hopefully, this article will help you understand the differences between Plantains and bananas.
Sources:
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