Plantain is a very popular ingredient in Jamaica. Both ripe and green. It is widely used in various dishes and is quite loved by the natives. A plantain is basically a fruit that is usually used as a vegetable as well.
Do Jamaican eat plantains?
We were having a Jamaican theme dinner with Ziggy Marley’s Jerk Chicken and Jamaican Style Greens so Sweet Fried Plantains was a perfect addition, also known as Maduros or tostones.
Is plantain Jamaican or African?
Fried plantain is a dish cooked wherever plantains grow, from West Africa to East Africa as well as Central America, the tropical region of northern South America and the Caribbean countries like Haiti to Cuba and in many parts of Southeast Asia, where fried snacks are widely popular.
What ethnicity eats plantains?
PUERTO RICO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, AND CUBA
In Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba, the plantain can also be mashed after it has been fried and be made into a mofongo, or fried and made into tostones, tajadas, or platanutres, or it can be boiled or stuffed.
What is a Jamaican plantain?
Plantains are starchy and often used as a vegetable the same way we would use a potatoes. It is usually fried or baked. They are very popular in West Africa and Caribbean countries.
What does unripe plantain does to the body?
It has been observed that unripe plantain contains antioxidant compounds that help prevent diseases and provides vitamins. It generates a slow release of glucose and may help prevent colon cancer and constipation, while lowers cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.
What is Caribbean plantain?
Plantain(s) are widely popular in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. They are like the cooking banana for these regions. While it grows abundantly on the trees like most fruit, it is normally cooked and not eaten raw. Instead being treated like a vegetable, make no mistake, plantain is a fruit.
How do Jamaicans eat plantains?
Ripe sweet plantains are fried until golden brown with a caramelized texture and sweet flavor that melts in your mouth. Serve with Rice and Peas, Curry Chicken, Jamaican Oxtails, Jamaican Jerk Chicken and Brown Stew Chicken for a dinner that will take you to the islands!
How do Caribbeans say plantain?
One of the explanations offered is that people from the English speaking-Caribbean are more likely to say plan-TIN, though some of my African-American friends and one British friend said that’s also how they pronounce the word. The folks in my very unofficial poll were mostly Team TAYNE.
What country eats the most plantains?
The countries with the highest volumes of plantain consumption in 2018 were Democratic Republic of the Congo (5.5M tonnes), Cameroon (4.8M tonnes) and Ghana (4.1M tonnes), together comprising 59% of total consumption.
Who brought plantain to Jamaica?
The Gros Michel is said to have been introduced to Jamaica by Jean Francois Pouyat, a French botanist and chemist who settled here in 1820. He brought the fruit back from Martinique to his coffee estate in an attempt perhaps to diversify his produce.
Why are plantains popular in the Caribbean?
Spanish and African slave traders brought the fruit with them to the Caribbean on slave ships. Plantains proved to be a cheap and filling provision for enslaved men and women. The abundance of plantains and their versatility made them the staple ingredient that they are today.
Are plantains native to the Caribbean?
Plantains are native to India and the Caribbean where they are treated as more vegetable than fruit. Although there is no formal botanical distinction between bananas and plantains, “dessert” bananas are generally eaten raw, while plantains are cooked because of their high starch/low sugar.
Where is plantain originally from?
Southeast Asia
Plantains are believed to have originated in Southeast Asia. Two groups of plantains are thought to have a common origin: the horn plantain and the French plantain. Both types grow in India, Africa, Egypt, and tropical America. The French plantains also occur in Indonesia and the islands of the Pacific.
Can you cook green plantains?
Unlike a banana, plantains contain much more starch than sugar and are almost always served cooked. Once cooked, unripe green plantains have the dense, starchy texture of taro. They are traditionally braised, fried, or mashed.
Can you fry green plantains?
Heat 1/2 inch oil in a deep 10- to 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat until just hot enough to sizzle when a piece of plantain is added. Fry plantains in 2 batches, turning occasionally with tongs, until tender and just golden, 5 to 7 minutes per batch.
What is Jamaican fried plantain?
In Jamaica plantains are boiled, roasted or most commonly fried. Fried sweet plantains are eaten on the side with savory dishes like Stew Peas and Rice or Ackee and Saltfish. The trick to making delicious fried plantain is to know which ones to choose. It’s all about how the skin looks; the more beaten up the sweeter.
Does unripe plantain increase sperm count?
Unripe plantain cooked or roasted has been proven over the years to induce, sustain and maintain erection. It also helps to make semen thick and increases sperm volume. “Roasted plantain fruit is good for men with weak erection and low sperm count. Make a habit of eating one or two roasted plantain daily.
Can unripe plantain cure diabetes?
Health Benefits of Plantains
Diabetes: In Nigeria, people use plantains as a natural way to manage diabetes. Some studies show they may have a hypoglycemic effect, or help control blood sugar levels, especially unripe plantains. The fiber in plantains could help your blood sugar levels stay steady longer.
Can unripe plantain cure blood pressure?
Beneficial For Heart Health
Because unripe (green) plantain is potassium-rich, it can help protect you against hypertension and heart attack (through control of blood pressure and the rate of the heartbeat).
Can you eat green plantains?
Plantains can be cooked at any stage of ripeness – from green, to yellow or black – to create a variety of dishes from appetizers to desserts. Plantains taste different at each stage of development, though the interior color of the fruit will remain creamy, yellowish or lightly pink.
Justin Shelton is a professional cook. He’s been in the industry for over 10 years, and he loves nothing more than creating delicious dishes for others to enjoy. Justin has worked in some of the best kitchens in the country, and he’s always looking for new challenges and ways to improve his craft. When he’s not cooking, Justin enjoys spending time with his wife and son. He loves exploring new restaurants and trying out different cuisines.