Plantain is a starchy ‘fruit’ that’s used throughout its various stages of ripeness. Through its colour gradients, from green to black, the sweetness and texture change. It’s important to say that in Nigerian cooking, most traditional applications and preparation of plantain are savory from appetizer to mains and sides so even when sweet ripe plantains...
I grew up eating plantains as an essential part of my Nigerian diet and I find it fascinating to experiment with them. I’ve tried chocolate-filled gnocchi and Plantano Frito tortillas for nouveau cuisine, and traditional Nigerian steamed pudding. And so when I read about bacon-wrapped plantains at Cynthia’s of Taste of Home, its fate was...
Plantain has been bringing joy to homes in Nigeria since the amalgamation of the North and South poles. That’s how deep I believe it. This saying isn’t any truer as Nigerian artiste Timaya testified to in his 2011 hit single “Plantain Boy”. You should listen to it if you haven’t. [youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15gzJf8_P3Y”] The ease with...
Nma isn’t lazy when it comes to loving and eating plantain. Her favourite way? Fried and enjoyed with rice and stew. Most Nigerian parents would be proud, for in Nigeria when you’re out and you complain of hunger (aka lusting for junk food…), the parents might go – ‘Don’t worry, there’s rice at home’! Need...
Rafiat gives insight to what the state of the planet might be like if plantain goes extinct. Can’t, shouldn’t, won’t – lots to think about, hilariously too. Thank you, Rafiat – read and enjoy people. I can’t picture myself living in a world without plantain. It’s unimaginable and possibly cannot happen. Before I proceed, I’ll...
There are interesting concepts in places and languages that express cultural acceptance, that touch on home and identity. Like aplatanado (male), aplatanada (female). In Cuba and The Dominican Republic, it’s a term that describes someone who has become ‘one of us’ – aplatanado or aplatanada. At the root of it is the word, platanos, of...
I know this feeling of being away from home and looking for plantain, and finding some from Colombia and other places and you sha buying and dreaming of Ogoni plantains – because they have the best ever! Thank you Francesca for sharing this funny, true in many ways piece. May you find plantain where ever...
Dija is musing about life and dodo, and I dare say it’s comfort food for her. Especially being away from home. And that’s what comfort food does – makes you hanker, remember, desire and even celebrate it. Your precious dodo – and plantain chips – will be waiting on your return, babe x I’m not...
Mercy just loves dodo – any which way. I like to think of her as an equal opportunity dodo lover. Thank you Mercy, for your contribution. They say love doesn’t come in a box, I totally agree – it comes on a plate, full of yellowish-brown dodo. Every time I see a bunch of plantain...