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Do you know how to peel plantains? This bright green vegetable may look like a giant banana, but they are handled differently in the kitchen.
Once you get the hang of peeling plantains you'll love cooking with them – they are great fried, baked, stewed and even stuffed with meat or cheese. Yum!
What is plantain?
Plantains are a tropical starchy fruit from the banana family. They can be eaten baked, fried, grilled, steam or boiled, either ripe or unripe. Sometimes referred to as 'cooking bananas' as opposed to 'dessert bananas', they are a cultivar of the Musa genus.
The nutritional benefits of plantain
Plantains are high in carbohydrates and are a rich source of fibre, vitamins and minerals. They are also packed with antioxidants and Vitamin C to support the immune system. Plantains are an excellent source of Vitamin B6.
Banana or plantain: what’s the difference?
Bananas are enjoyed ripe and their skin is easily peeled back. Plantains, on the other hand, can be consumed green or ripe, but must be cooked. Also, plantains require a bit more dexterity because they are much tougher to peel.
How to peel plantains
Try this easy technique for peeling green or yellow plantains:
- Cut off both ends of the plantain
- Observe the ridges of the plantain. Cut a shallow slit down the length of each ridge, making sure not to go too deep. The idea is to cut through the skin but merely touch the flesh.
- Slide a butter knife down between the flesh and the skin, lifting up slightly. The skin will come right off.
Need to see it in action? YouTuber Praise Onaturals shows you how it's done:
How to eat plantain
If you’re looking for ideas on how to cook with plantain, here are some fantastic options, including making a tropical casserole, turning them into a sweet and savoury salad or frying them up into a spicy snack.
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