Plantain

Musa × paradisiaca, M. balbisiana

fruit · prebiotic

A firm, starchy cooking banana, eaten green or ripe, boiled, fried or steamed, like a potato. 100 g of green plantain provide 20 mg of vitamin C and resistant starch.

Origin

Southeast Asia, adopted in Africa and the Caribbean

Season (United States)

all year round · grows in your region

Preparation

The peel is not eaten; when green, it comes off more easily slit lengthwise, or after a dip in hot water.

Did you know?

It is one of the staple foods of the tropics — tenth in the world — in West and Central Africa, the Caribbean and Central America; and the banana plant fruits all year round.