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Difference Between Plantains and Bananas: Ripe Plantain Recipes

Updated on October 1, 2021
ShailaSheshadri profile image

Cooking is one of my passions. I enjoy sharing recipes from my native Indian cuisine.

Plantains

Ripe Plantains
Ripe Plantains
Ripe Plantain Slices
Ripe Plantain Slices

What are Plantains? How Do They Differ From Bananas?

Often we find it difficult to differentiate between bananas and plantains. But, it is not so difficult task. If you observe closely, they look different. Also, they smell different. However, both these varieties belong to the same family.

People eat plantains in cooked form, as they are not suitable to eat raw. Plantain fruits are less sweeter compared to ripe bananas. Plantains are starchy and fleshy. They are used in making delicious dishes, both savory and sweet. Inhabitants of many regions depend on plantains and use them as their main source of food. Consuming plantains has many health benefits.

Bananas and Plantains Images

Bananas
Bananas
Plantains
Plantains

Health Benefits of Plantains:

1. Plantains are a rich source of starch and energy.

2. They contain a high amount of dietary fiber that help in easy bowel movement and prevent constipation.

3. Plantain has more vitamin A when compared to bananas. It is a good antioxidant too. Vitamin A helps in vision care, maintains healthy mucous membranes, and enhances skin complexion.

4. Plantain is a good source of vitamin C. It has more amount of vitamin C than bananas. Consumption of food with vitamin C helps in fighting against infectious diseases. It also protects from harmful oxygen-free radicals.

5. Like banana, plantain is rich in vitamin B-complex, especially high in vitamin B 6 (pyridoxine).

Pyridoxine is an important vitamin B complex that plays a beneficial role in the treatment of anemia, neuritis, and to lower homocysteine(a cause factor for coronary artery diseases and strokes) level in the body.

6. Plantains contain folates, niacin, riboflavin, and thiamin. Folates (folic acid) are essential for a healthy pregnancy.

7. Plantains are a rich source of minerals, such as iron, magnesium, and phosphorous. Magnesium is known to be essential for bone strengthening and cardiac protection as well.

8. They contain more potassium content than bananas. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that help in controlling blood pressure and heart rate as well as countering the negative effects of sodium.

9. Plantains are known to be diuretics. Hence, they can help in preventing kidney and bladder problems.

10. Consuming plantains eases the discomfort associated with menstrual periods.

Seeing all these benefits, it is worth including plantains in our food consumption.

1. Easy and Delicious Plantain Desserts

Ripe plantain desserts
Ripe plantain desserts
5 stars for Ripe plantain desserts

Cook time:

Preparation: 5 minutes

Cooking: 10 minutes

Ready in 15 minutes

Serves 6 people

Ingredients:

1. 2 ripe plantains, skin removed and sliced

2. 1 cup sugar, for the syrup

3. 1/4 cup, ghee or butter

4. 3 cardamoms, powdered

Step-By-Step Images and Instructions for Making Plantain Dessert:

  • Remove the skin of ripe plantains. Cut them into medium-thick slices. Refer to the photo.
  • For making sugar syrup, heat a cup of water in a kadhai. Add sugar. Boil the mixture for about ten minutes. Next, turn off the heat. Add powdered cardamom. Keep the container covered.
  • Heat ghee or butter in a wide pan. Keep a low heat. Place the plantain slices on the ghee, one touching the other. Cook until the bottom side gets a brownish color.
  • Make all the slices upside down. Cook till the other side becomes brownish. Strain the slices and remove them on a plate. Repeat the procedure for all the slices.
  • Take 2-3 tablespoons of the medium-hot sugar syrup in a serving bowl. Immerse five slices of shallow fried slices into it. Enjoy eating the delicious dessert.

Important Note

1. This dessert is meant for immediate use. The plantain remains crispy and fresh for a few hours. Hence, you should finish this sweet within a day. Always serve it with medium-hot sugar syrup.

2. Add sugar syrup to the plantain slices at the time of serving. If you immerse them for a long time, the slices tend to absorb the sugar syrup and start becoming heavy, losing the crispiness.

Photo Tutorial

Step one: Peel the ripe plantains.
Step one: Peel the ripe plantains.
Step two: Cut the plantain into medium-thick slices.
Step two: Cut the plantain into medium-thick slices.
Step three: Shallow-fry the slices until they become golden brown on both sides.
Step three: Shallow-fry the slices until they become golden brown on both sides.
Step four: Immerse 4-5 shallow fried plantain slices in sugar syrup and serve. Enjoy eating ripe plantain dessert!
Step four: Immerse 4-5 shallow fried plantain slices in sugar syrup and serve. Enjoy eating ripe plantain dessert!

2. Ripe Plantain Pudding:

Ripe plantain pudding
Ripe plantain pudding

Cook Time:

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Ready in 15 minutes

Serves 4 people

Ingredients:

1. 2, ripe plantains, skin removed, sliced

2. 1/2 cup, jaggery, powdered

3. 1/4 cup, ghee or butter, for shallow frying

4. 4, cardamoms, powdered

5. 1/4 cup, coconut, grated

6. a pinch of salt, for taste


Step-By-Step Instructions

  • Peel the skin of ripe plantains. Slice them into medium-thick pieces.
  • Heat ghee/butter in a wide pan. Place the slices on the pan. Cook them until the bottom part turns brownish. Flip and cook the other side also.
  • Add jaggery powder and cardamom powder to the pan. Mix well. Let the heat be minimum. Mash the plantain slices. Cook till the jaggery melts and gives out a nice smell. Continue to cook until the mixture thickens.
  • Finally, add grated coconut. Mix well. Turn off the heat.
  • Transfer the dessert to a serving bowl. Enjoy eating it! This sweet dish remains fresh for three days at normal temperature. You will surely enjoy the tempting aroma of plantains in this pudding.

Photo Guide

Step one: Peel the ripe plantains. Chop them into medium-thick slices.
Step one: Peel the ripe plantains. Chop them into medium-thick slices.
Step two: Shallow fry the slices in ghee until they become golden brown on both sides.
Step two: Shallow fry the slices in ghee until they become golden brown on both sides.
Step three: Lower the heat. Add jaggery powder. Mash the cooked plantain slices.
Step three: Lower the heat. Add jaggery powder. Mash the cooked plantain slices.
Step four: Add grated coconut. Mix well. Turn off the heat.
Step four: Add grated coconut. Mix well. Turn off the heat.
Transfer the dessert to a serving bowl. Enjoy eating this yummy and flavorful plantain dessert!
Transfer the dessert to a serving bowl. Enjoy eating this yummy and flavorful plantain dessert!

Important Note

1. As both the desserts are made in ghee or butter, they are very nutritious. Ghee gives strength and immunity to the body. It is also good for bones. It is helpful for lowering joint pains. It helps in lowering cholesterol and aids in improving overall health.

2. You can enjoy the natural, fresh aroma of the plantains in these dishes.

3. You can use more ghee/ butter if you are serving it for kids and young adults.

Nutritional Information of Shallow-Fried Plantain Desserts

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: 1
Calories 142
Calories from Fat36
% Daily Value *
Fat 4 g6%
Carbohydrates 12 g4%
Sugar 2 g
Fiber 4 g16%
Protein 3 g6%
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 6 mg
* The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA.
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