For the Love of Plantain

Pioneering Pan-Latin chef and restauranteur, Esnayder Cuartas, declares his love for this over-sized banana.
by Esnayder Cuartas
Image

It’s about time I made a public apology. For years, those lovely customers, followers and friends of mine, who’ve innocently asked me ‘What’s a Plantain?’ have got a brash, disdainful reply: It’s a starchy banana, darling.

Only recently, did I realise that this outward disinterest disguised my own ignorance. Being born and brought up in the coffee region of Colombia, plantains were as common to me as apples are to the English. But actually, but I never knew much about this fascinating and delicious vegetable, that has played a huge part in my life.

The Green Plantains originated in the Far East, in particular New Guinea and travelled to Africa (where they were first grown several thousand years ago) becoming a staple part of the diet on both continents where a tropical or a sub-tropical climate allowed them to flourish and form plants three to ten metres high.

During the 15th and 16th centuries, the mighty plantain migrated to the new colonies in South America, given to the slaves as an inexpensive and nutritious food. In the 1620s, more than 40,000 plantains were imported annually to Cartagena, where the resident slave population consumed them along with a diet of beans, cassava, yams, and corn, all staples of today’s Latin kitchens.

Known for its fertile land and coastal plains, Cuba became the transit point for Spanish expeditions in the New World, and provided ideal tropical climate conditions for plantain cultivation. Introduced into the United States in 1804, regular trade developed around harvests, and by the late 19th century, a significant industry emerged.

In the 20th century, with the migration of Latinos to the US, settling along the South Eastern coast (ideal climate for plantains) bananas and plantains became less expensive, and an integrated part of U.S. food history. But enough history for now; let’s get cooking!

Five ways to eat Plantain:

1. Patacones or Tostones. For this we use green plantains, fried in vegetable oil, then flattened with the help of a wet cloth and a rolling pin, until they are thin like a wafer. You then fry them again, until crispy like a potato crisp or tortilla chip. Add salt and pepper and use them with dips like guacamole…great for parties! With shredded beef on top they make great canapés. Or use them as a garnish with fish; my favourite one is with escabeche.

2. Aborrajados.

These are very ripe, almost black, plantains.  When this ripe, they get very sweet and ideal for baking. Make a cut in the middle, length wise, put some butter in the slit and add white cheese like Mozzarella or Feta. Then bake for 30 minutes and you’ll get a delicious snack, or a dessert that goes very well with ice cream. Also fantastic on the barbeque!

3. Maduros

These pan-fried slices of ripe plantains go with almost any dish. Colombians, Venezuelans, and other Caribbeans will add these to almost any dish that is served with rice. A Bandeja Paisa isn’t the same without them!

4. Frijoles

Beans and plantains are the perfect marriage in the high Andes. Dice green plantains into small cubes and then added to the other ingredients to complement the pulses. This produces a hearty main course dish.

5. Sancocho, Sudados or Cocidos. All stews benefit greatly from adding a ripe plantain.  They add sweetness and softness, and will complement the flavours of the meat and the other vegetables, such as cassava and potatoes.

Esnayder Cuartas is London’s pioneer of Latin–fusion cuisine and one of the city’s finest caterers, whose next pop-Up fine dining experience will be 'The Flavour f Latin America' a 1940's Havana style banquet at La Clave Fest. Info and tickets here www.laclavefest.co.uk/sabor. See preview below.

Related Articles

Image
Coquito (Puerto Rican Eggnog)

Think of Coquito like the Puerto Rican version of Egg Nog. It is great for Rum & Coconut Milk fans (like myself) or for those…

Image
Pastelón - Plantain Lasagna

Plantain Lasagne is the perfect food combo, sweet & salty and best of all low-cal compared to a typical lasagne. In this…

Image
100 Wardour Street

Former Floridita saves the dinner dining experience for Latin Wednesdays

Latest Content

Image
Laura Rios Diaz
Arts and Culture
Women by Women: Changing Photography For The Better

Showing at the OXO Gallery to mark International Women’s Day, ActionAid’s new exhibition Women by…

Image
REAS 2024 1
Film & Theatre
'REAS' by Lola Arias

“I see beyond the wall”...Having its UK premiere at the BFI Flare 2024 Festival, Argentine cinema…

Image
lisa
Society and Politics
LATIN LONDONER #50: LISA LUGO, SVP Marketing & Creative Solutions Live…

Born and bred a true Nuyorican, after working at Live Nation in the US, Lisa Lugo moved to the UK…

Most Viewed

Image
Top 10 Argentine Footballers

As one of the biggest football teams in South America and the world, the Argentine Football…

Image
Ballads and Boleros
Top Ten Mexican Male Singers of all Time

Since the days when Mexico was a serious rival to Hollywood in terms of film production and quality…

Image
Top 10 Mexican Boxers

Globally, Mexico is known as a boxing powerhouse, boasting some of the greatest champions in the…