The Plantain Fruit
Photo Turbana Corporation
This photograph shows plantains in
their various stages of ripeness.
About Plantains
The plantain
(or platanos) is a banana, musa paradisiaca, which is eaten cooked rather than
raw. Plantain are eaten in most tropical countries of the world. The largest
exporters of bananas are the northern portions of South America as well as Central
America.
Nutrition
The fruit is primarily carbohydrate, approximately 40 grams per 1/2 banana and about 180
calories. Like the common yellow banana, the fruit is very high in potassium
approximately 500 milligrams per serving. The plantain is normally eaten as a
starchy staple food. It can be boiled, baked, or fried and served as a vegetable or made
into a sweet dessert, depending on the degree of ripeness of the fruit.
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How To Select a Plantain
Plantains can be prepared at any stage of ripeness. Make sure to pick a recipe appropriate
for the fruit you have on hand.
Green: When the plantain is green it is quite starchy and the flavor is
much like a potato. The green fruit can be fried or boiled.
Yellow: When the plantains yellow the sugars begin to develop and
impart a slight sweetness to the fruit. At this stage the fruit may show a few
freckles of black.
Black: The plantain is at it's sweetest once it turns black.
Normally you would want to use black plantains for dessert or any recipe where a sweet
taste is desirable. You may purchase yellow plantains and store them in a paper bag
until then ripen and turn black.
Tostonera, plantain press for making tostones.
Available at Gourmetsleuth.com
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