The Forktionary Angle
"The chameleon of the fruit world, transforming its culinary role with every stage of ripeness."
Definition
A starchy fruit similar to a banana, typically cooked before eating. Versatile in savory and sweet dishes, varying with ripeness.
Flavor Profile
The primary flavor notes for Plantain are:
Chef’s Secret
For perfectly crispy tostones, double-fry: first at lower temp to soften, then smash, then higher temp to crisp.
Best Substitutes
Green banana
Potato
Sweet potato
Buying Guide
Green for savory dishes, yellow with black spots for frying/baking, almost black for very sweet dishes.