Why does my plantain look more like a parsnip?!?
I had cuban food and wanted to attempt to recreate it. It definitely says plantain on the label. But it looks like a large parsnip... it has a root at the top and everything. No skin to peel. It really doesn't look like a banana which I was expecting it to. Is this some kind of pre-peeled plantain? Or have I bought the wrong thing?!
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
A plantain looks like a larger and greener banana. It sounds like you got a parsnip.
How to prep a plantain:
The plantain should be green with a slight hue of yellow.
Peel it, cut it into 1 1/2 width.
In a pan or pot, add about 1/2 of oil. Heat in med. high heat for 5 - 8 minutes.
Put cut bananas into the pan. Cook both sides until you begin to seen a little bit of brown.
(This helps with softening the plantain)
Remove from the pan/pot (Continue to keep the oil hot but not smoking)
Wedge between fax paper and flatten it into 1/2 thickness.
Place flattened plantains into the pan/pot and brown both sides until it's golden brown.
Texture should be crunchy on the outside yet soft on the inside.
Sprinkle some salt.
Usually a mixture of oil, salt & crushed garlic is drizzled over the plantains.
It's ready Enjoy and HTH!
Hi, I'll have to see it but it is probably not a plantain. Plantains look exactly like bananas only bigger. If their are ripe they are yellow if not then green. Also plantains are not roots, they grow in plants that grow as big as a tree.
Plantains are like bananas but larger and greener. Sounds like you might have bought yams or sweet potatoes.