Yellow plantain

The yellow plantain is a staple tropical fruit in cuisines around the world, particularly in Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, and Asia. Ripe and sweet, it's ideal for a wide variety of culinary preparations. At this stage of ripeness, its yellow skin speckled with black indicates tender, sweet flesh, perfect for both sweet and savory dishes. The yellow plantain is rich in carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, making it an excellent source of natural energy.

Main features:

• Average weight: 200 g to 400 g per fruit (depending on size).
• Colour: Yellow skin, sometimes speckled with black, indicating a ripe fruit.
• Flavor: Mild and slightly sweet, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture after cooking.
• Use: Versatile in the kitchen for sweet or savory dishes.
• Origin: Cultivated in tropical regions (Africa, Caribbean, South America).

Benefits :

• Energetic and nutritious: Rich in complex carbohydrates, potassium and fiber, the plantain banana is ideal for a balanced diet.
• Versatile: Suitable for both savory dishes and desserts, thanks to its naturally mild flavor.
• Easy to cook: Can be fried, boiled, roasted or steamed.
• Gluten-free: Perfect for people following a gluten-free diet.

Culinary applications:

1. Plantain fries (“Alloco”):
   • Slice the banana into rounds and fry until golden brown and crispy. Perfect as a side dish or snack.
2. Plantain puree:
   • Mash the boiled or steamed plantains for a sweet and smooth puree.
3. Oven-roasted plantain:
   • Bake the whole bananas in the oven until their skin turns black and their flesh is tender. Serve as a dessert or side dish.
4. Traditional dish:
   • Add pieces of yellow plantain banana to stews, curries or saucy dishes for a mild, sweet flavor.
5. Desserts:
   • Use plantain bananas as a base for pies, cakes or sweet doughnuts.

Preparation tips:

• For savory dishes: Add a pinch of salt or spices to balance the natural sweetness of the fruit.
• For desserts: Enhance the flavor with a little honey, cinnamon, or grated coconut.

Conservation :

• Store at room temperature.
• To speed up ripening, place the bananas in a paper bag or near other ripe fruit. Once fully ripe, they can be stored in the refrigerator to slow down their deterioration (the peel will darken, but the flesh will remain good).