How are green and ripe plantains used differently?
I see both green and black (ripe) plantains for sale. I'm assuming they aren't used interchangeably. What kinds of dishes or techniques are appropriate for each type? Are the different types favored in different cultures, or do some cultures appreciate both?
Best Answer
Like many fruits and vegetables, the sugar level in a plantain increases as it ripens.
- Green plantains are very starchy and hard. You must cook them to eat them. They can be used much like a potato (think chopped & put in soups or mashed as a side dish). Fried green plantains are referred to as "tostones."
- Yellow plantains still require cooking, but they are sweet (unlike green plantains). These work pretty well for frying and steaming.
- Black (super-ripe) plantains do not have to be cooked; they can be eaten raw. They have soft flesh and a scent like a banana, though still not as sweet as typical bananas. When these super-ripe plantains are fried, they are referred to as "platanos maduros" (ripe plantains) or "platanos fritos" (fried plantains).
Regarding use by different cultures:
Trinidad and Tobago, Honduras and Jamaica: the plantain is either simply fried, boiled or added to a soup.
Kerala: ripe plantain is steamed and is a popular breakfast dish.
Ghana: boiled plantain is eaten with kontomire stew, cabbage stew or fante-fante (fish) stew. The boiled plaintain can be mixed with groundnut paste, pepper, onion and palm oil to make eto, which is eaten with avocado.
Southern United States, particularly in Texas, Louisiana and Florida: plantains are most often grilled.
Nigeria: plantain is eaten boiled, fried or roasted; roasted plantain, called booli is usually eaten with palm oil or groundnut.
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What is the difference between green and ripe plantain?
Ripe Plantains vs. Color: Unripe plantains are green. As they ripen, they start to yellow, then get dark brown spots and eventually turn black before spoiling. Texture: Green plantains are tough, similar to a root vegetable. Ripe plantains are mushier, and those with a darker peel may not hold their shape when fried.Is ripe or unripe plantain better?
Ripe plantain taste a lot better than unripe ones, but that doesn't mean it is richer in nutrients ; in fact, nutritionists believe that unripe plantain is better for your health than the ripe ones.Is there a difference between green and yellow plantains?
They are the same fruit, but the color of the skin indicates the plantain's ripeness. At its peak of ripeness, a plantain's skin will be dull yellow with black patches, or completely black. Unripe plantains are green or cream to bright yellow in color. They are also fried to make green plantain chips called tostones.What are green plantains used for?
Whilst bananas are sweet and make for great desserts and breakfast toppings, green plantains are almost always cooked, used in savory dishes, and are often eaten as fried chips.More answers regarding how are green and ripe plantains used differently?
Answer 2
Here in Jamaica we also use the green plaintains to make porridge. The ripe ones can be used to make plantain tarts. We also eat the ripe ones boiled as a starchy food.
Answer 3
In the South Indian state of Kerala, the ripe (yellow and black) and the unripe (green) plantains are used differently in dishes.
The ripe ones are pressure cooked/steamed and eaten with puttu (steamed rice cake) and is a good breakfast item. It is also used in Pazham Payasam (plantain pudding with jaggery and ghee/clarified butter).
The green ones are used in savoury dishes such as stir fries (Ethakka Mezhukkupuratti) and Avial (dry mixed vegetable curry with coconut).
Another popular dish is Kalan which is served during feasts and is essentially yoghurt curry with plantains. The semi-ripe plantains are sliced laterally and fried to make "banana chips".
Answer 4
In Malawi, green plantains are cooked as a savory dish 'mbalagha' a stew cooked mainly with beef, pork, and goat meat. In the central and southern cooked as savory usually cooked in alcohol drinking places 'chilabu'. Mang'ina as is called. Ripe plantains are usually eaten for breakfast as a delicacy
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