Green Plantain Bananas
Inventory, 40 lbs : 2.55
This item was last sold on : 09/13/24
Description/Taste
Green plantains are distinguished by their age. They are simply the younger immature stage of the fruit. Their peel is thin and they have a very firm and starchy textured, lean-flavored flesh due to their very low sugar content. As plantains ripen, they develop a sweet taste and their color changes from green to yellow to black.
Seasons/Availability
Plantains are available year-round.
Current Facts
Plantains are botanically classified as Musa paradisiaca. Plantains are a staple food in tropical regions and are considered a cooking banana. Plantains are the tenth most important staple that feeds the world, sustaining large populations across the globe.
Nutritional Value
Plantains are considered a super food. They have more than twenty times the amount of vitamin A, about three times the vitamin C, double the magnesium, and almost twice the potassium as the common banana.
Applications
The Green plantain must be cooked to be truly edible. They can be fried, boiled, baked, pickled and grilled. Since green plantains are very hard and starchy, they are often prepared like potatoes. Green plantains, in fact are the chosen plantain for fried plantain chips. Green plantains are essentially treated as and substituted for potatoes. Thus, they can be used in recipes calling for potatoes and utilized alongside ingredients in which potatoes compliment. Pair with savory herbs, garlic, pork, poultry, both rich and mild cheese, other starchy vegetables such as corn and shelling beans, tropical fruits, cream, chiles, cumin and curry.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Plantains have a long and rich history. Alexander the Great found plantains in Pakistan in 327 B.C. Pliny the Elder referred to them as "the fruit of the wise". Plantains were first domesticated in Papua New Guinea any where from 5000 - 8000 B.C. As global trade expanded, plantains found themselves in China in 200 A.D and had reached Africa by the 6th century. Native to India, plantains are now grown commercially in the Caribbean Central Africa, West Africa and Florida.
Geography/History
Plantains are native to Southeast Asia, Southern Asia and West Africa, most specifically to the tropical regions of Nigeria and Ghana. Unlike bananas, Plantain plants do eventually expire production of fruit, yet they are among the longest producing of banana plants. A single plant may produce fruits up to fifty years depending on its tropical location.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Coasterra | San Diego CA | 619-814-1300 |
| Qero | Encinitas CA | Chris 702-334-8845 |
| Fox Point Farms (Haven) | Encinitas CA | 619-892-0553 |
| Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District | El Cajon CA | 619-644-7585 |
| Harvest Kitchen | Vista CA | 619-709-0938 |
| Town & Country San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-291-7131 |
| Cape Rey Carlsbad, a Hilton Resort | Carlsbad CA | 760-602-0800 |
| Herb & Sea | Encinitas CA | 858-587-6601 |
| Miss B's Coconut Club | San Diego CA | 858-381-0855 |
| Coco Maya by Miss Bs | San Diego CA | 858-245-3780 |
| Catamaran | San Diego CA | 858-488-1081 |
| Toast Catering | San Diego CA | 619-795-9135 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad (20/20) | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Bar Same Same (Kitchen) | Carlsbad CA | 760-470-9143 |
| The Pearl Hotel Bar | San Diego CA | 877-732-7573 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Green Plantain Bananas. One
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