I'm going bananas!!!

I mean it!  That is, the Banana Plantain of course. This delicious gift of the tropical forest, is highly regarded in the cuisine of many countries, including my native Colombia.  

Colombian patacones

Patacones with shrimp ceviche

Plantain Soup

You can find them in soups, stews, fried or baked.  The possibilities are endless, but every time I'm shopping for them, people ask me how I cook them.  They are virtually unknown to the Northern hemisphere.  A rarity to be eaten in "tostones" at Cuban restaurants.                                    
 
Here are some of my favorite forms to eat plantains, ripe and green alike:

Plantain soup is a hearty and satisfying way to eat this fruit during cold weather.

Patacones (fried or baked green plantains) are great as a side dish or as a base that can be topped with almost anything, from scrambled eggs to shrimp ceviche. You can also use them instead of bread to make sandwiches.

Maduros

"Maduros" or ripe plantain slices, are a favorite among children of all ages in South America. They are usually served as a side dish. instead of potatoes. They're best when the skin is turning black in the outside, but still firm.

Caramelized plantains are a great dessert. My mom used to make them with "panela" (sugarcane juice), cloves, cinnamon and lime peel. Oh, the memories that brings. How mouth watering!

Caramelized plantains

Here's another classic of Latin American cuisine:

"Platanos asados con queso" (Baked ripe plantains with fresh cheese). These are easy, and oh so good.  Just let the plantains ripen until the skins are totally black.  Preheat the oven to 350ºF, put the unpeeled plantains on a baking sheet to bake for 30 minutes.  Take them out, let them cool for a few minutes, remove the skins and discard them.  Cut a slit lengthwise and insert a ¼ inch mozzarella sticks inside.  Return to the hot oven for five more minutes, or until cheese melts and browns. These are sure to go well with poultry or meat dishes.

Baked Plantains with Cheese

Now here is something new:  Baked green plantain strips in a salad. What a wonderful idea. You're sure to wow your friends and family with this twist.

Plantain salad with peanut oil dressing

Best of all, plantains are a good source of many nutrients, and they are completely gluten free.

Following is a chart of the nutritional value of this amazing food.

Serving Size: 1 medium, plantain (179g)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 220	Calories from Fat 5
	% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0.5	1%
Sodium 5mg	0%
Potassium 890mg	26%
Total Carbohydrate 57g	19%
Dietary Fiber 4g	16%
Sugars 10g
Protein 2g
Vitamin A 40%	Vitamin C 50%
Calcium **	Iron 6%
Vitamin D **	Vitamin E 2%
Vitamin K **	Thiamin 6%
Riboflavin 6%	Niacin 6%
Vitamin B6 25%	Folate 10%
Vitamin B12 **	Biotin **
Pantothenic Acid 4%	Iodine **
Magnesium 15%	Zinc **
Selenium 4%	Copper 8%
Manganese 6%	Chromium **
Not a significant source of saturated fat and cholesterol. **Contains less than 2 percent of the Daily Value of these nutrients. *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Source: PMA's Labeling Facts

Plaintain bananas are low in fat, Sodium-free, Source of fiber and potassium, Source of vitamin C & B6, Cholesterol-free.