Versatile Jamaican Plantain
Have it YOUR way!

Tasty Jamaican Plantain
by Rose-Marie Gordon-Cole

Ripe, green, fried, cooked, baked, grated, blended; this list speaks of the versatility and wholesomeness of the Jamaican plantain. It’s hard to get bored with something that can be served in so many different styles.

Plantain, a sibling to the banana just a bit bigger, and though not indigenous to Jamaica is an important part of the Jamaican diet.

There is no Sunday rice and peas without fried ripe plantains on the side. It is also a popular part of many morning breakfasts here as well. Jamaicans, lets say a big thank you to Southeast Asia from whence the plantain cometh :-)

This very low maintenance plant can be found all over the island, and is one of the many crops found in a number of backyards gardens.

The different ways of preparing this fruit is endless, and it is so easy to put a cultural spin on its’ preparation.

Here are a few of my favorite ways to prepare plantain - Jamaican style!

• Fried – this can be either green or ripe. The ripe can be added to either, lunch, breakfast or dinner.
  
  Fried green plantain is my absolute favorite. Seasoned with local herbs and spices, the plantain is peeled sliced half fried taken out, pressed and then returned to complete the process.
  
  New!: Shop for your Jamaican products here.
  
  
• Plantain dumplings – grate or blend the green plantain, add flour and salt then, mix as you would to make dumplings.
  
  
• Porridge – grate or blend again the green plantain, mixed in a small portion of flour (the flour is use as a thickening agent and is optional) adding spices and sweetening to taste.
  
  
• Drink – the very ripe fruit (when the skin starts getting black and the fruit is a bit soft) is blended, adding milk and your choice of spices and sweetener if needed. You can also add other fruits to the blend to make a smoothie.
  
  
• Chips – both ripe and green plantains are used to make chips. The ripe plantain chips are a bit sweet as plantains, like the banana gets sweet when ripe. If you have never tried plantain chips you can pick up a pack in any supermarket around the island.
• And how can I forget plantain tart!
  
  I am salivating just writing about it. Flaky crust filled with sweet stewed ripe plantains aaaaahhhhh. My high school friends would tell you that most of my lunch money was spend on plantain tarts before school starts. Who remembers roasting plantains in the hot ashes in grandmas outdoor kitchen in the country? I do, and it was tons of fun.

Yes, lot's of ways you can prepare plantains. Also, do bear in mind that it's nutrient content is far more than that of the banana and is said to be very low in fat when cooked. It also provides a healthy dose of carbohydrate, dietary fiber and vitamins and minerals.

See: More Pictures of Jamaican Food.

Posted: 08/22/2011

Return to Food From Jamaica from Jamaican Plantain .
Return to HomePage from Jamaican Plantain.

Selected pictures from Flikr

Sister's first crop from her backyard Plantain plant

fried plantains

My sister's Jamaican fried plantain

Pages Related To Jamaican Plantain

• Free Jamaican Recipes
• Jamaican Drink Recipes
• Jamaican Black Cake Recipes
• Jamaica Travel Guide
• Jamaican Product Shopping
• Shopping in Jamaica

Make sure you subscribe to my free monthly e-zine My Island Jamaica Digest (MIJD) and stay with the latest from Jamaica!

New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below.

Back To The Top Of This Page

New! Get My Latest Book👇🏿

You asked, I've answered! You no longer need to save for months or years, to enjoy paradise! JAMAICA On A Budget is your passport to experiencing what I call 'The Real Jamaica' on a budget! I spilled the beans! sharing my top tips on finding cozy accommodations and secret gems, only the way a native could! Click Here to pick it up on my e-store and start saving now!

See The Best Of Jamaica - In Videos!

My channel reaches over 140,000 subscribers worldwide and has leveraged over 11 million views, sharing, what I call 'The Real Jamaica'. Subscribe today and join our family of viewers.

Read More ...

New! Experience The REAL Jamaica!
Book Your Private Tour here and experience Jamaica the way we (locals) do!

---

P.S. Didn't find what you were looking for? 
Still need help?

Click Here to try our dependable and effective Site Search tool. It works!

Or, simply click here and here, to browse my library of over 500 questions and answers! Chances are someone already asked (and got an answer to) your question.

---

SHOP JAMAICAN Book Local Tours

Book Your Vacation Travel TIPS and Cautions

Watch My Videos!

Featured Video!

Travelling To Jamaica? 

Read this BEFORE you go

👇🏿

Recent Articles

• 
• 
• 

1. How Long Does It Take to Build a House in Jamaica?

   Jul 15, 25 10:10 PM

   Question from Gilbert, Florida, USA: Assuming that I have land already how long would it take to build a 3500 sq.ft. house in Jamaica. Also,

   Read More

2. Fishing (not deep sea) options near Montego Bay

   Jul 15, 25 09:53 PM

   Question from Cheri Black: We have a guest coming in a month who would like to fish off a beach or a coastline, or even a river. The least

   Read More

3. Where Do I Go to Get a Copy of a Land Title in Jamaica?

   Jul 15, 25 09:43 PM

   Question from Rossini: Where does one go to get a copy of land title? Great question, Rossini—and something a lot of folks, especially

   Read More

4. Where to Find Scotch Bonnet and Other Jamaican Ingredients in New York

   Jul 15, 25 09:39 PM

   Question from Ariel, Hempstead, NY: Is it possible to get all the ingredients from CTOWN supermarket or Latin grocery store? Scotch bonnet

   Read More

5. Can I Ship Plants or Trees from the U.S. to Jamaica?

   Jul 12, 25 10:14 PM

   Question from Kelvin, USA: Can trees and shrubs from the United States be shipped to Jamaica? I'm building a house in Jamaica. Hey Kelvin!

   Read More