slo’s THURSDAY 10/26 poll - Plantains

[CindysFriend]

Great topic!

I’ve never purchased or cooked with plantains, but I have eaten dishes that contain them at a restaurant in Puerto Rico, while visiting there on a cruise.

They were very good. I couldn’t really describe the flavor but it wasn’t like a banana. lol.

 

[princesscinderella]

We live in South Florida so we have plantains as side in a ton of restaurants. I chose other because I have never bought them to make at home, but we do buy these super yummy plantain chips with lime for our packed lunches. We have tried all the other brands and these are the best.
https://a.co/d/3FIyB2n

 

[tzolkin]

I tasted one, once. Not a fan.

There are so many different preparations for plantains that have completely different taste and texture that I personally would find it impossible to know if I liked plantains (as a whole) from trying one type. That would be like saying that I don't like soup because I tried split pea soup and thought it was gross. To me, plantain chips, gooey sweet plantains, fried tostones, starchy plantains in a stew, etc are all completely different foods. Some I love, some not so much.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Plantains are AMAZING!

A great app for allergy folks - plantains wrapped in bacon glazed with maple syrup and cayenne. You get the yellow plantains with a few brown spots...slice into 1/2 inch pieces and de-peel. Wrap each piece with 1/3-1/2 slice bacon and place seam side down on parchment. Brush the top with a glaze of maple syrup and cayenne - your choice on how hot. Cook at 375 for 40 minutes or so til the bacon is the way you like it. Wonderful - no salt needed.

You can do the bacon/maple/cayenne the same way with dates and cook on the same tray. Plantains are cheaper and less sweet that dates, so you get nice contrast serving both together as apps.

PS - And you can pre-prep the dish and toss in the fridge - just cook a few extra minutes if needed.

 

[slo]

Wow….lots of great reply’s.
When we go to a restaurant that offers them, I’ll definitely order them - we enjoy trying new things. I’ll keep my eyes open for them

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Just a word of caution to anyone trying to peel a plantain: DONT USE YOUR FINGERNAILS!! I made that mistake exactly once and I never will again. It’s extremely painful for days after. They’re a pain to peel and you’ll want to try to pull pieces off with your fingers but don’t or you’ll regret it, use a knife only.

 

[princesscinderella]

Plantains are AMAZING!

A great app for allergy folks - plantains wrapped in bacon glazed with maple syrup and cayenne. You get the yellow plantains with a few brown spots...slice into 1/2 inch pieces and de-peel. Wrap each piece with 1/3-1/2 slice bacon and place seam side down on parchment. Brush the top with a glaze of maple syrup and cayenne - your choice on how hot. Cook at 375 for 40 minutes or so til the bacon is the way you like it. Wonderful - no salt needed.

You can do the bacon/maple/cayenne the same way with dates and cook on the same tray. Plantains are cheaper and less sweet that dates, so you get nice contrast serving both together as apps.

PS - And you can pre-prep the dish and toss in the fridge - just cook a few extra minutes if needed.

I do the bacon wrapped dates every so often but I never thought to substitute plantains, I will have to try it thanks!

 

[VandVsmama]

I've had plantains when ordering food from my favorite Puerto Rican food truck. The plantains that they add as a side to their combo plates are SO GOOD!

 

[Skippy918]

I love plantains. I’ve eaten them at several restaurants around town and when traveling to the Caribbean or Mexico.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Years ago I used to work with a guy who took his break every night at 3am. Before his break, he would heat up his fried plantains in the microwave. The smell was as bad as fish in the microwave, and everyone would groan, lol. I personally have never tried them. I’d probably be game, but, based on years of that smell, I’m not sure I’d enjoy them!

 

[nw6675]

I'd rather have yuca than plantains, but plantains are good, too.

 

[MIGrandma]

Never bought, never ate. I would happily try one though.

 

[DaisyDuck001]

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.

The Celebration location (and others) are still there, according to their website.