Plantains are believed to have originated in Southeast Asia. Two groups of plantains are thought to have a common origin: the horn plantain and the French plantain. Both types grow in India, Africa, Egypt, and tropical America.
How did plantains get to Africa?
The Journey of Plantain to the Caribbean
Portuguese explorers found bananas in western Africa and planted some back home. From there the fruit was taken to the canary islands, and then from the canary islands to the Caribbean through Santa Domingo by a Portuguese Franciscan monk.
When did plantains come to Africa?
Plantains may have been grown in eastern Africa as early as 3000 BCE, and in Madagascar by 1000 BCE. The plantain had certainly reached the African continent between 500 BCE and 500 CE.
Are plantains native to the Caribbean?
Plantains are native to India and the Caribbean where they are treated as more vegetable than fruit. … When the skin is bright green and firm, use plantains for tostones, plantain chips, mashed plantains and soup.
Do African Americans eat plantain?
Fried plantain is a dish cooked wherever plantains grow, from West Africa to East Africa as well as Central and South America and the Caribbean countries like Haiti to Cuba and in many parts of Southeast Asia, where fried snacks are widely popular.
Are plantains healthy?
Cooked plantains are nutritionally very similar to a potato, calorie-wise, but contain more of certain vitamins and minerals. They’re a rich source of fiber, vitamins A, C, and B-6, and the minerals magnesium and potassium.
What country eats the most plantains?
The countries with the highest volumes of plantain consumption in 2018 were Democratic Republic of the Congo (5.5M tonnes), Cameroon (4.8M tonnes) and Ghana (4.1M tonnes), together comprising 59% of total consumption.
What animals eat plantains?
Predators that hunt turacos and plantain eaters include eagles and chimpanzees.
Is plantain a fruit or vegetable?
Fruit
Are plantains Mexican?
Mexican Kitchen
Although grown most frequently in the tropical coastal areas of the country, plantains are found in markets all over Mexico, where they are called plátano macho and look like bananas on growth hormones, ranging in color from bright green and unripe to nearly black and looking overripe.
Do Peruvians eat plantains?
Plantain (or ‘plátano’ in Spanish) is popular in Peruvian food, and across Latin America in general. It’s a typical side dish in the traditional Latin American meal: white rice, beef or chicken, and beans.
What do plantains taste like?
Ripe plantains are sweet like a banana, without the banana flavor. They can be eaten raw but are best when fried. The edges caramelize and become crispy like the edges of pancakes cooked in butter.
Can you eat plantain skin?
In addition to helping you to achieve younger-looking, softer, blemish-free skin, plantain peel can do great things for your internal health too. Due to the high amounts of vitamin A, 100g fresh ripe plantains contain 37.5% of your daily recommended amount of this important vitamin.
Are raw plantains poisonous?
According to the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN) “Banana and plantain do not contain significant levels of any toxic principles.” Raw, unripe plantains can be difficult to digest, especially if eaten in large quantities. Doing so can lead to upset stomach.
Is eating too much plantains bad?
While plantains are a good source of magnesium, they do have a high carbohydrate content and glycemic load. As such, they can raise blood sugar.