Move over bananas, it's time to give plantains a chance to shine! Though they look almost identical, plantains are starchier and less sweet than their banana cousins. But that's a good thing when it comes to cooking.
From savory baked plantain chips to sweet caramelized plantains, this underrated fruit can transform into so many delicious dishes. Here, you'll find 15 plantain dishes that will help you navigate this fruit.
In this salad, ripe plantains provide a sweet, starchy base while vegetables and vinaigrette dressing add tangy flavors. Sliced plantains are complemented by the crunch of peppers and cooling cucumbers. Typical additions like red onion, cherry tomatoes, and cilantro are also added for some freshness.
The plantains act as a substantial replacement for pasta or grain-based salads. Their subtle sweetness balances the bright acidity of citrus vinaigrettes. Common dressings include lime, lemon or orange juice with olive oil, garlic and herbs.
Crispy fried plantain slices or chips are popular in Central and South American, Caribbean, and African cuisines. Ripe, blackened plantains are preferred for frying because of their naturally sweet flavor and soft texture.
Their starchy content makes them a good option for frying as they caramelize to a sweet crunch. In the United States, fried plantains are often served as an appetizer alongside dips like guacamole or with rice dishes, curries and stews.
In these vegan tacos, roasted cauliflower and plantains replace meat as the filling. The cauliflower florets are spiced and roasted while the plantain slices are either fried or roasted. The flour tortilla is filled with cauliflower and plantains and finally adorned with taco toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, avocado and cilantro. If you like, you can also replace the flour tortilla with a plantain tortilla to further enhance the plantain flavor.
Turon consists of sliced plantain and jackfruit wrapped in an egg roll or lumpia wrapper then deep fried. The combination of sweet ripe plantain and tart jackfruit is classic, but other fillings like coconut, peanut butter and chocolate are also used.
Each year the Philippines celebrates Turon Day on March 15th showcasing this popular fried dessert. It likely originated from the Filipino tradition of turrones, milk or egg-based confections brought over by Spanish colonists.
The portability and crunchy texture of turon make it a favorite snack sold by street vendors. It is especially popular during holidays like Christmas.
The jibarito sandwich was created in Chicago but takes inspiration from Puerto Rican cuisine. This inventive sandwich replaces bread with thick, flattened, fried plantain slices.
Typical jibarito fillings include steak, chicken, pork, or a variety of toppings like cheese, lettuce, tomato, garlic mayo, and onions sandwiched between the crispy plantain "buns".
The hearty plantains act as the base that brings all the fillings together in each bite while adding a touch of sweetness to balance the savory ingredients. Part of what makes the jibarito unique is experiencing such classic sandwich fillings in plantain form.
Crispy plantain chips have become popular as an alternative to potato chips as a more nutritious and sweet version. Green unripe plantains are often used to make chips for their starchy, firm flesh.
Sliced raw plantains are soaked then fried or baked, developing a satisfying crisp-tender texture. Seasonings like sea salt, chili powder, curry spices, or cayenne are often added for flavor. Plantain chips make an easy gluten-free snack or crunchy salad topping in place of croutons as well.
Tostones feature prominently in Puerto Rican cuisine, where grated green plantains are flattened and fried into crisp disks. Traditionally, the unripe plantains are cut into rounds, fried once to soften, then pounded flat before frying again until crispy and golden brown. This double fry method results in the distinctive crispy-tender texture.
Unlike other Latin American variations called patacones or fritos verdes, Puerto Rican tostones are left flat versus molded into a cup shape to pile on fillings. These are usually served as a side dish or an appetizer.
Bacon-wrapped food on skewers is a popular appetizer technique seen with scallops, shrimp, and other fruits. Plantains lend themselves well to getting the bacon treatment too.
Ripe, sweet plantains are sliced and wrapped in bacon secured with a toothpick then baked or grilled until the bacon becomes crisp. The saltiness of the bacon contrasts nicely with the plantains' mellow sweetness. So, if you're looking for a nutritious version of the bacon-wrapped food, this plantain version should be on your radar.
Tatale is a traditional West African dish from Ghana featuring plantain pancakes often served with pepper sauce and grilled tilapia. To make this dish, ripe plantains are mashed and pan-fried into golden brown flat cakes. You can find certain indentations made on the cakes with a spoon.
Even though you can make tatale with unripe plantains, these are usually used to make another popular Ghana dish, fufu. For tatale, the ripe plantains' sweetness and binding ability are ideal for making the pancake base. You can serve this with different savory and spicy sides.
Looking to try something new for taco night? Try these plantain tortillas. Start by blending mashed ripe plantain with egg and spices to create a sturdy base that can be cooked to form pliable rounds. The tortillas are then cooked on a stovetop to obtain brown spots throughout.
Even though plantain tortillas are not as popular, their starchy textures make them a good alternative to regular tortillas. As a result of the sturdiness, these tortillas do not fall apart even with hefty taco fillings.
The beauty of plantain tortillas is you can top them just like regular tacos, while their golden color and faint fruitiness give them a unique flair.
When plantains are cooked low and slow in butter or brown sugar, their natural sugars caramelize into the most insanely delicious sweet side ever. Originating in tropical climates like the Caribbean, South America, and Africa, caramelized plantains are served for breakfast or dessert.
The process of slowly bronzing the plantain slices in a skillet transforms them from a starchy staple into a candy-like treat. Drizzled with honey or rum, these sweet plantains can be served served alongside rice pudding or ice cream.
Adding diced plantains to stuffing or dressing boosts the flavor and texture wonderfully. The plantains soften during cooking but still retain a slight firmness within the stuffing. Their mild, lightly sweet taste works as a backdrop that absorbs all the warm, herbaceous flavors and seasoning.
The hint of fruitiness naturally enhances standard stuffing ingredients like celery, onions, broth, and spices. Compared to plain bread-based stuffing, the plantains add interest without overpowering the flavors.
Warm and comforting plantain soup shines when made with ultra-ripe, spotted plantains. Their blackened skins and mushy insides become incredibly sweet when simmered into a soup base. Other components of the soup include sauteed onions and garlic that provide a savory depth to the dish.
If you're looking for a heartier soup, add diced potatoes, carrots or yucca to the plantains. With splashes of coconut milk or cream, and fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley the soup becomes even more brighter.
Nothing beats quick sauteed plantains for an easy side dish. Simply slice ripe plantains, add to hot oil and sauté until caramelized and tender - about 5-10 minutes. Sprinkle with cinnamon or cayenne for extra flair. You can also add a few cinnamon sticks to the pan if you'd like.
The crisp-tender texture of the plantain pairs well with beans, rice, chicken or seafood. Drizzle some lime juice or top with cotija cheese and you have a slightly sweet dish alongside spicy or heavily seasoned mains.
Best of all, this plantain recipe requires minimal prep and ingredients. In less than 15 minutes, you can enjoy plantains at their finest.
Jamaican spiced dumplings get tropical flair by the addition of ripe plantains. You can pair plantains to the dumpling in a number of ways. You can either add shredded plantains into the dough along with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla or serve fried plantains along with the dumplings for a contrast in textures. Traditionally served at Christmas, these sweet-savory dumplings are perfect for soaking up flavorful stews any time of year.
