slo’s THURSDAY 10/26 poll - Plantains

[Micca]

I've only had them in Cuban restaurants, they're just ok.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

My niece is married to a guy from Puerto Rico and he introduced me to tostones (fried smashed. Plantains) and I make them occasionally now. They’re very good

 

[tzolkin]

I have never bought plantains. I do not really recall ever eating them. I never have really liked bananas (I can eat them, but they just don't thrill me), so I never made the effort to jump into the world of plantains. They might be worth trying though, especially since they are cooked I hear.

I am also not a fan of bananas (I will only eat them when they are slightly under-ripe)

There are some sweet dishes with ripe plantains that have a banana-like flavor, but I have typically eaten them when still green. Unripe, they are used in savory dishes as a starch and seem more similar to potatoes. I have been to Rwanda a few times and had them at just about every meal. They will roast them like potatoes, toss big chunks into a stew, etc. and I don't think they taste like bananas at all.

I make fried plantains at home on occasion. I slice and cook them once, smash them thin, and then fry them again so they are crispy like a thick chip.

 

[mumto3girls]

I have never bought them, but think I ate them years ago in the Dominican Republic. Nothing memorable.

 

[ronandannette]

Never bought one and probably never will. I’ve only ever eaten them in restaurants and as processed plantain chips. They’re edible, but not at all exciting.

 

[lovesmurfs]

I voted other. I don’t buy them but I will order them at a restaurant. They are delicious.

Same.

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

I like them a lot and will get them in a restaurant. We have made them at home (fried), but it's not often at all. I can't really remember the last time. It's been several years.

 

[Schneewittchen37]

Love plantains. I have bought them, but I usually leave it to the professionals in the restaurants.

Anyway, at home I've fried them to make maduros -sweet plantains. I like tostones too, but never try making that at home. And then there's mufungo, also awesome but beyond my skills.

 

[AppleDumpling]

I've never bought plantains themselves, but I have bought the Goya frozen ones that are already seasoned and cooked (tostones, maduros). I've eaten them in restaurants, too.

Same. I really like them. There is a Venezuelan restaurant in my town that we go to frequently, and I almost always order them. I prefer maduros, which are sweet and soft, made with ripe yellow plantains, over the tostones, which are made with green ones and have a more savory flavor.

 

[fly girl]

I have never bought them.

Tried them twice in Puerto Rico and Jamaica. No wow factor for me. I can do without.

 

[disneychrista]

I’ve never had them. I’d try them if I saw them on a menu someplace.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

I voted Other, since I used to buy the bags of Plantain chips. I live in a predominantly Hispanic area, so the small supermarket around the corner from me has all sorts of goodies, including Plantain chips in just about every flavor you can think of. I no longer buy them because of my switch to healthy foods and diet.

Man, though. Now I want some chili lime ones...

 

[1420Elexismc]

I buy one or two to make tostones once in a blue....love mofongo thought-especially with shrimp or pernil

 

[LuvOrlando]

Love them, very versatile. Great salty and friend like a potato chip (love Trader Joe's chips) but also amazing sweet like I have had with people from the Caribbean, sort of like a Bananas Foster but a bit heavier. Whole foods offers them sweet from time to time and I always pick some up because I haven't mastered making them. I have also had them in Tamales and Enchiladas, great vegetarian option for meals.

 

[unrequited23]

If plantain chips count, we love them and buy them if they are on the shelves at Costco or Aldi.

 

[E&Cmom]

I never buy them but my parents would get them a lot growing up. They would fry them up. I was never a huge fan.

 

[dcassetta]

Love plantains, but always cooked or dried. Love bananas too.

 

[ford family]

First tried them many years ago at the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City. They used to have a location in Celebration as well as a couple of others.
Very tasty, enjoy them at home as well as in Caribbean and Latin American restaurants.

ford family

 

[tvguy]

Never bought them, but I have had them in dishes prepared on one of the cruises I took.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I tasted one, once. Not a fan.