Yes we have no bananas

     One of the most common foods in the Caribbean is the plantain.  It resembles a green banana and is a member of the banana family.  But that is where the resemblance ends.  While bananas are considered a fruit, plantains are regarded as a starch.  They are lower in moisture content, firmer and also have a lower sugar content.  Unlike the banana they are unsuitable to be consumed raw.  They grow in tropical areas and are often referred to as the pasta of the Caribbean.

 

     Plantains are highly nutritious, are a good source of Vitamins A & C, high in dietary fiber and an energy booster being high in carbohydrates.  They are a versatile food and can be steamed, boiled, grilled, baked or fried.  They can also be dried and ground into flour.  Some cultures use plantains as a component in banana beer, an alcoholic beverage.  We best know them as fried chips sometimes referred to as tostones or tajadas. 

     Here is a side by side comparison of bananas and plantains:

Plantains	Bananas
Starchy Used as a vegetable Longer than bananas Thicker skin Resemble green bananas, but may be green, yellow or black	Sweet Eaten as a fruit Shorter than plantains Thinner skin Color is green when not fully ripe, yellow when ripe