Harder to peel (especially when green) than bananas, plantains cannot be eaten raw. They must be cooked and are an important part of Central and South American, Caribbean, African, and Southeast Asian cuisines.
What cultures eat plantains?
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.
What cuisine is plantains?
Fried plantain is also eaten in some countries in South America or the Caribbean where African influence is present.
Kelewele.
| Type | Snack |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Ghana |
| Main ingredients | Plantains, spices |
| Cookbook: Kelewele |
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.
Where are plantains most popular?
Cameroon is leading the plantain production with 4.3 million tons, followed by Ghana (just under 4 million tons), Uganda (3.7 mio tons), Colombia (3.5 mio. tons) and Nigeria (3.1 mio tons). Philippines, Peru, Ivory Coast, Myanmar and Democratic Republic of Congo complete the top 10.
What culture cooks with plantains?
Plantain fruit
So in America, this food is not only common in Peruvian cuisine, but also Bolivian, Colombian, Ecuadorean and Brazilian kitchens, as well as in some Central American countries.
Where are plantains a staple food?
Plantains origins are in Southeast Asia, but they have become the major staple food for countries such as West and Central Africa, Central America, the Caribbean Islands and the Northern Coastal parts of South America. They fruit year-round, which makes them a reliable all-season staple food crop.
What countries eat sweet plantains?
CENTRAL AMERICA & CARIBBEAN
In countries in Central America and the Caribbean, such as Cuba, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Panama, Puerto Rico, Haiti and Jamaica, the plantain is either simply fried, boiled or made into plantain soup.
Is mofongo Dominican or Puerto Rican?
What Is Mofongo? Mofongo is a traditional Puerto Rican dish made with fried green plantains that are then mashed with garlic and mixed pork cracklins.
What culture eats plantain chips?
Plantain chips are just one of many ways that Caribbean, Latin, African, India and Asian chefs prepare plantain. Each region has several dishes that make use of this fruit, which also can be boiled, baked, steamed and grilled.
What do Puerto Ricans call plantain?
Plantain mofongo is thought to originate in Puerto Rico, and is a dish made from fried green (unripe) plantains mashed together with garlic and crackling pork rinds, also known as chicharrón.
Ingredients.
| Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
|---|---|
| 57g | Carbs |
| 28g | Protein |
Is plantain Caribbean or African?
Whether you prefer them green, yellow, or black, boiled, baked, or fried, plantains are the fruit of the Caribbean. Yes, you got that right. Fruit! In most Caribbean and Latin American households, plantains pass as a staple vegetable in every meal.
What do plantains taste like?
Ripe plantains are sweet like a banana, without the banana flavor. They can be eaten raw but are best when fried. The edges caramelize and become crispy like the edges of pancakes cooked in butter.
When did plantains come to America?
In 1804, plantains reached New York, and sold as novelty fruit to curious consumers.
Do Cubans eat fried plantains?
In Cuba, as well as in Miami and other Cuban communities, plantains are often sliced and deep-fried to make chips, or panfried to make tostones, a crisp smashed plantain appetizer or side dish that’s delicious plain or dipped in a garlicky lime sauce. Tostones are practically the Cuban national dish.
Are plantains Hispanic?
PLANTAINS. Spanish word for “plantain”. Commonly referred to as “cooking banana” or plátano in Spanish, plantain can easily be mistaken for a banana but are larger than a banana and must be cooked before eaten.
Where do plantains grow in the US?
Plantain, known as Plantago major, grows all over North America and around the world. It is commonly found in yards and gardens where pesticides aren’t used.
Is green banana the same as plantain?
On maturity, bananas are yellow and about 6-inch long, whereas plantains are green or black and approximately 12-inch long. The main physical difference between plantains and greens bananas is that plantains have narrow and elongated ends that seem pointy, whereas green bananas have short, rounded ends.
Are plantains Caribbean?
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.
What country is known for a plátanos?
One staple in almost all Cuban restaurants and vendors is Platanos Maduros. The popular Cuban side dish isn’t only famous in Cuba, but it’s also widely known in India, West Africa, and all of the Caribbean countries.
Who brought plantain to the Caribbean?
The Journey of Plantain to the Caribbean
From there the fruit was taken to the canary islands, and then from the canary islands to the Caribbean through Santa Domingo by a Portuguese Franciscan monk. One must also consider the popularity of the plantain in Africa when looking at the foods journey to the Caribbean.
Marilyn Medina is a food expert with over 15 years of experience in the culinary industry. She has worked in some of the most prestigious kitchens in the world, including The Ritz-Carlton and The French Laundry.
What makes Marilyn stand out from other chefs is her unique approach to cooking. She believes that food should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their budget or dietary restrictions. Her recipes are simple, delicious, and healthy – perfect for anyone who wants to cook like a pro!