There is no better way to start your plantain journey than with easy, quick, and healthy Steamed Plantains or Boiled Plantains!
Plantains are some of the top fruits in Africa because they’re delicious, versatile, and good for your health in many ways. I have cooked lots of healthy African recipes but my kids and husband love it when we steam plantains at home.
There is so much to love about steamed plantains. They have a sweet and starchy flavor matched with their soft and fork-tender texture at every bite. It can be one of the best side dishes, snacks, and desserts to serve.
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When it comes to steaming recipes, plantains are my go-to veggies. Once cooked, they can go with almost any dish you want to enjoy! Today, I will tell you all about steamed plantains and why you should cook them.
You are in for a complete guide to cook, improve, and store boiled plantains; let’s get started!
How to Make Steamed Plantains
Once you taste the steamed plantains, you’ll realize why it’s such a popular dish in West Africa. In just ten minutes, you can cook plantains until they have the perfect flavor, texture, and quality.
Most of the time, steaming is all it takes to taste and enjoy Boiled Plantains!
Ingredients
What else is there to know about plantains?
Plantains
Take a break from bananas and get into these plantains, too!
Even if it looks like a banana, the plantain is a unique fruit that you cook like a vegetable. It’s a tropical fruit that’s known for its starchy quality and pleasant flavor. The plantain is also a popular ingredient in Caribbean and African recipes.
Unlike bananas, plantains are best eaten when cooked. They taste like sweet potatoes or yams with a rich flavor that only gets better when you steam, deep fry, bake, air fry, or roast them.
When raw, the plantains are firm, but once cooked, they will become soft, caramelized, and decadent. With the recipes you can make from plantains, every dish will surely be exciting!
There is no doubt that plantains make some of the best veggies for your diet. It’s good for the whole family, from kids to adults. Here are some of the best plantain recipes I always make at home:
Directions
How can you steam plantains? Just follow these steps:
- Peel and slice the plantains with a knife.
- Boil water into a pot.
- Place the steaming basket in the pot.
- Then, arrange the plantain slices in the basket.
- Steam them over medium heat for ten minutes or until tender.
- Remove them from heat and serve!
Trust me, preparing steamed plantains has never been this quick and simple! Enjoy it as it is to make the most out of the nutrients, quality, and flavor!
Tips
Buying plantains
- Bon Appetit suggests buying ripe plantains with yellow and black skin or dark colors.
- They should feel firm to the touch.
- You can also buy green ones and let them ripen for up to two weeks.
Storing plantains
- Plantains can last up to five days at room temperature.
- Ripe ones can also be refrigerated to last up to a week longer.
- For sliced ones, store them in resealable bags and freeze them for up to 3 months.
Steamed Plantains Variations
If you want to try plantains for the first time, then the Steamed Plantains recipe is the best one to start with.
Steaming is so easy, effortless, and affordable. All you need is some water to steam away. In case you don’t want to steam plantains, you can also deep fry, air fry, bake, mash, or transform them into other dishes, too.
There’s also more than one way to steam plantains. The Food Network suggests a new steaming method without using a steaming basket.
First, roll at least three sheets of aluminum foil into balls. Then, place them in the pot and pour about half an inch of water for boiling. Put a plate on top of the foil, arrange the plantains, cover, and steam!
Alternatively, you can use a wire cooling rack or an inverted slotted pie pan to steam. As a last resort, put them in a microwave-safe dish or bag with a bit of water and microwave for up to six minutes.
To mix things up, you can use plantains to make the following plantain dishes:
Recommended Tools
- Pot: steam plantains in a pot.
- Steaming basket: Steam the plantains in a steaming basket.
- Knife: Peel and chop the plantains with a knife.
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How to Serve Steamed Plantains
Ten minutes is all it takes to relish awesome Steamed Plantains!
You can serve steamed plantains anytime you want. They can also make excellent side dishes or snacks for your guests. In fact, you can mash boiled plantains to make baby food.
Try different toppings or seasonings that will pair well with them. For instance, you can mix them with milk, cream, sugar, cinnamon, chili flakes, and more! Plantains can be paired with stews, such as:
According to Story Teller, 25 grams of ripe plantains is the suggested daily intake for adults. It also constitutes about 20% of the needed daily fiber. It doesn’t just satisfy your cravings, but it also takes care of your health!
Storage Tips
- At room temperature: It’s best to eat steamed plantains within four hours at room temperature
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to steam plantains?
It depends on the quantity and size of plantains you want to steam. Generally, it takes about eight to ten minutes to steam them. Check them for doneness before removing them from heat.
Are steamed plantains healthy?
Yes, they are! They are packed with essential nutrients to boost energy, digestion, and immunity. The fiber and calorie content of this dish can also aid in weight management.
What is the healthiest way to eat plantain?
Steaming is one of the healthiest ways of preparing plantains because it gives them a tender texture without losing the nutrients. However, you can also roast, bake, or grill them.
What does boiled plantain do to the body?
Because of the starch content, eating boiled plantains is great for your metabolism and digestion. Boiled plantains also have a good level of vitamin C for your immunity, mood, and heart.
Steamed Plantains (+VIDEO)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 plantains (ripe)
- 2 cups water (for steaming/cooking the plantains)
Instructions
- Peel and slice the plantains with a knife.
- Boil water into a pot.
- Place the steaming basket in the pot.
- Then, arrange the plantain slices in the basket.
- Steam them over medium heat for ten minutes or until tender.
- Remove them from heat and serve!
Video
Notes
- If you don’t have a steaming basket, use balled aluminum foil, a wire cooling rack, or an inverted slotted pie pan.
- Plantains can also be transformed into chips, porridge, and more!
- Peeled plantains may take at least 10 minutes to steam, but unpeeled ones need to be cooked for at least 25 minutes.
Nutrition
