Plantains unveiled: The versatile superfood you're overlooking

Bananas and their nutritional properties don’t need an introduction. Canadians eat many, sometimes trusting too much in their universal power of “good food.” Today, we leave these popular fruits aside to introduce you to their lesser-known cousin. What is plantain, where does it come from, and why is it worth eating? We answer all these questions below.

There are nine species of plane trees worldwide. These large trees have decorative, spreading leaves reminiscent of maples. These plants give us plantains, which are botanically fruits but are considered vegetables for their culinary uses. "Vegetable bananas" are mainly harvested in North America and Asia, primarily in Laos and Vietnam.

Unlike bananas, plantains have distinctly green skin (mature ones turn more yellow or even red!) and are somewhat larger. They contain large amounts of starch, so many people compare them to potatoes in terms of nutritional properties and taste. It is worth noting that plantain is often considered an even healthier vegetable than bananas. It is a rich source of complex carbohydrates, fibre, potassium, vitamins C, A, and B. This, in turn, makes consuming plantains beneficial for:

• Lowering blood pressure and blood sugar levels,
• regulating metabolism,
• increasing feelings of fullness,
• strengthening bones,
• positively affecting the intestinal mucosa,
• supporting skin condition, including combating acne.

We mentioned that plantains are considered vegetables in culinary terms. This is true, and these delicacies from North America often become an indispensable element of... grilling. Although they can certainly be eaten raw (like bananas), they are especially valued as an addition to heavy, grilled meats. The preparation method is straightforward: just peel them, cut them into smaller pieces, and sprinkle them with your favourite spices. Then, keep plantains on the grill for about 15 minutes, and they're ready!