Best ways to eat plantains

There are so many ways to enjoy plantains, from sweet to savory. Plantains make a delicious and nutritious side dish whether you fry them, bake them, or boil them. This blog post will explore some of the best ways to eat plantain. Stay tuned for recipes that will have your taste buds singing with joy! Get your fresh plantains here.

What are plantains, and where do they come from?

Plantains are a type of fruit that is closely related to bananas. They are typically longer, larger, and wider than bananas and have a thicker skin. Plantains are versatile fruits that can be used in many dishes; they are also often taken as vegetables. They are high in fibre and nutrients, a good source of vitamins A, C, and B-complex and minerals such as potassium and magnesium.

Plantains can be eaten as a side dish or as an ingredient in recipes and can be cooked in many different ways; they can be baked, boiled, or roasted. Plantains can be eaten at any stage of ripeness, from green to black.

When plantains are unripe, they are green, more starchy, and less sweet, making them ideal for savoury dishes. As they ripen, they turn yellow or black and become sweeter and softer, making them perfect for sweet desserts or snacks; they can be eaten raw or cooked. Plantains can be cooked in many different ways, including frying, baking, boiling, or roasting. 

Plantains are native to India and Southeast Asia but can now be found in tropical regions like Central and South American countries. Plantains have been grown in America for centuries and were introduced to Africa by Portuguese traders. It is now an important food crop in many tropical countries, where it is often eaten as a starchy side dish or used as an ingredient in recipes. Plantains are used in many Caribbean and African dishes.

How do you eat and prepare plantain?

Plantains are an excellent addition to any meal. They can be eaten raw and at any mealtime: breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, or even as a midnight snack. Both ripe and unripe plantains can be eaten however you like.

When boiled, they can be eaten in porridge or eaten with vegetables, eggs, or even stew. When you fry them, depending on the thickness, size, and shape of the cutting, they can be eaten as a side dish for rice, beans, or pasta; they can be eaten as snacks – plantain chips – or as desserts – plantain frittatas, gizzdodo, and the like.

When roasted, it can be eaten with nuts, barbecued fish, or hot peppery sauce, with a chilled drink on the side, of course. When baked, you could freestyle with it; people come up with tasty recipes for baked plantains, but most people prefer baked plantains because it needs less oil to cook, and it tastes like fried plantain still.

Plantain dishes vary depending on how you want them cooked – some people like their roasted plantains, others prefer baking plantains, while others prefer boiling them before frying them. Plantain dishes also vary depending on whether you want to make a savoury or sweet dish.

There are many ways to eat plantain, and the possibilities are endless. So get creative in the kitchen and try out different recipes! Your taste buds will thank you for it.

Here are some popular ways you can prepare plantains:

Fried Plantain:

These are popular side dishes in many Caribbean and African dishes. They can be served as a side dish for rice, beans, or pasta, or even eaten as a snack.

As a snack, it is usually called plantain chips or, as it is called in Nigeria, kpekere. These plantains are typically made with:

- Unripe plantains are washed, peeled, and thinly sliced into a long oval or circular shape and then deep-fried in vegetable oil until crunchy.

- Ripe plantains that have been washed, peeled, thinly sliced into long oval or circular shapes, and then deep-fried in vegetable oil till they are crunchy, but not as crunchy as their unripe counterpart.

As a side dish (dodo, as Nigerians call it), they are made with ripe plantains by washing and peeling off the back, then slicing them into not-very-thick long oval, circular, or cubic shapes, then frying them in red palm oil or vegetable oil till they are golden brown.

Baked plantain:

Baked plantains are another popular way to prepare plantains. Baked plantains are a healthy and delicious alternative to fried plantains. Baked plantains are typically made with ripe plantains that have been peeled, sliced, and then baked in the oven. Simply slice plantains into thin rounds, brush with oil, and bake at a high temperature until plantains are soft and slightly browned. It can be served as a side dish or even a snack.

Roasted Plantain:

Roasted plantains are another popular way to prepare plantains. Roasted plantains are typically made with unripe plantains that have been washed, peeled, and then roasted over a mesh on a burner. Simply place a whole plantain on the mesh burner and roast at a high temperature until the plantain is soft and slightly browned. It can be served as a side dish, as with barbecue and pepper sauce, or even eaten as a snack, as with groundnut.

Boiled Plantain:

Boiled plantains are also a popular way to prepare plantains. Boiled plantains are typically made with ripe plantains that have been peeled and then boiled in water until they are soft. Once plantains are soft, they can be mashed or eaten as a whole, served with various kinds of sauces. Boiled plantains can also be used to make plantain porridge or plantain fufu.

Plantain Fufu:

Plantain fufu is a popular way to prepare plantains. Plantain fufu is typically made with ripe plantains that have been boiled, peeled, and then mashed. Plantain fufu can also be made with unripe plantains boiled and then mashed. The plantain is then mixed with water, like pounded yam, to form a dough-like consistency. Once the plantain fufu is formed, it can be eaten or even served with various soups or stews.

Plantain flour is a popular way to prepare plantains. Plantain flour is typically made with unripe plantains that have been peeled, thinly sliced, and then sun-dried. Once plantains are dried, they are ground into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle grinder. Plantain flour can make plantain porridge, plantain fufu, or even plantain bread.

Mashed Plantain

Mashed plantains are a popular side dish in the main Caribbean and African dishes. Mashed plantains are typically made with ripe plantains that have been peeled, boiled, and then mashed. Mashed plantains can also be made with unripe plantains that have been boiled and then mashed. Once plantains are mashed, they can be eaten as a side dish or even a main dish.

What are the health benefits of eating plantains?

Plantains are a good source of dietary fibre, vitamins A and C, and potassium. They also contain antioxidants that can help protect against some chronic diseases. Plantains are low in calories and fat and do not contain cholesterol. Plantain is also known to help with constipation, improve heart health, and boost the immune system.

Some research suggests that plantain may help with weight loss or diabetes control (unripe plantain especially). One study found that people who ate plantain had lower fasting blood sugar levels than those who didn't eat plantain. Another study found that people who ate plantains had lower bad cholesterol and triglycerides than those who didn't eat plantains.

Are there any risks?

Eating plantain in moderation is generally safe. However, there are a few potential risks to be aware of.

If you have diabetes, eating overly ripe plantain or too much plantain can cause your blood sugar levels to rise. This is because plantain contains carbohydrates broken down into sugar when digested. If you eat plantain too often or in large amounts, this could lead to weight gain and other health problems associated with diabetes.

It's also important to be careful when preparing plantain. If you fry plantains or cook them in oil, they'll absorb more fat and calories. When plantains are fried, they can contain high levels of unhealthy fats. This can again lead to weight gain, increase your risk of heart disease and other chronic conditions, and cause other health problems associated with diabetes.

If you have a plantain allergy, you should avoid eating it. This allergy is rare, but it can cause symptoms such as hives, swelling, and difficulty breathing. If you experience these symptoms after eating plantains, seek medical attention immediately.

When preparing plantains, it's best to boil them, bake them, or grill them. This will help minimise the amount of fat and calories they absorb. Raw plantain can be toxic and cause illness. Plantains should also be peeled before they are eaten. The skin of plantains can contain toxins that can cause illness.

When preparing plantain, it is important to use mature plantain. Mature plantains are yellow or brown and have soft flesh. Unripe plantains are green and have hard flesh. Unripe plantains can cause indigestion and should not be eaten so often.

Once you have your plantains, be sure to wash them before eating. This will help remove any dirt or bacteria on the skin. To peel a plantain, cut off each end and slice it down the middle to peel a plantain. Once it's sliced open, you should be able to peel off the skin easily. If the plantain is unripe, you may need a knife to help remove the skin.

You can usually find plantain in the produce section of your local grocery store or an online retail store that specialises in African and Caribbean foods. If you stay in the UK and you have been searching for an African and Caribbean online retail store, visit niyis.co.uk. We have fresh plantains of different sizes, among other ingredients too.

They typically last for a few days to a week once bought. If you want them to last longer, you can store them in the fridge. Just be sure to eat them within a week for the best quality.