Finding ways to utilise plantains

EDITOR: In recent times there has been a glut on the local market of plantains. This resulted in great losses for plantain farmers. It appears that some effort was made by the government to purchase some of the plantains and give them away. But that may be causing further depression of the price on the local market.

Plantain is one of more than 100 species of bananas. A 1-cup serving of boiled green plantains contains: 166 calories, 1.5 g protein, 40 g carbohydrates, 4 g fiber and 3 g sugar. Plantains are a source of potassium, fiber, vitamin c, A, B6, Copper, Iron and magnesium. Plantain chips are a favourite but there is no factory here that can process large quantities of the product. The main form for consumption is fried or boiled ripe plantains. Haitians pound the green plantains and roast it on a baking stone to make a tasty dish. Foo foo is made by peeling and boiling half ripe plantains then stirring to a consistency of rice or other starchy pot.

Besides being nutritious, plantain is reputed to be an aphrodisiac. Some naturalists claim that it is particularly good for the body part that it resembles. A typical plantain is 6 to 8 inches long and has a girth of about 1 ½ inches. When blended green including the skin, it makes the iron man drink.

Ingenuity in its preparation, can help us all to utilize the excess plantain on the market now.

Anthony G. Stewart, PhD