Plantain

Deutsch: Kochbanane / Indian: Nendrakkaya, Ethakaya

Plantain is a green skinned banana with a firm texture, also called a cooking banana. A cooking plantain or plantain is a fruit of one of the cultivated varieties (cultivars) of the genus Musa intended to be consumed only after cooking or other processing, rather than being eaten raw. Those fruits intended to be eaten raw may be called "dessert bananas" or just "bananas", although "banana" is also used as a collective term to include both bananas and plantains.

Plantains are a type of banana that are larger, firmer, and starchier than the sweet, dessert bananas that are commonly eaten raw. They are a staple food in many tropical countries, and are commonly used in savory dishes. Here are some examples of how plantains are used in food:

1. Tostones: Fried green plantain slices that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, often served as a side dish.

2. Mofongo: A Puerto Rican dish made with mashed plantains, garlic, and pork cracklings, often served as a side dish or stuffing.

3. Plantain chips: Thin slices of plantain that are deep-fried until crispy, often served as a snack or side dish.

4. Arroz con platano: A Latin American dish made with rice, plantains, and spices, often served as a side dish.

5. Plantain tamales: Tamales made with a dough made from mashed plantains, often filled with meat or vegetables and steamed in banana leaves.

Other foods that are similar to plantains include:

1. Cassava: Also known as yucca or manioc, cassava is a starchy root vegetable that is commonly used in Latin American and African cuisines.

2. Breadfruit: A tropical fruit that is similar in texture and flavor to potato, often used in Caribbean and Polynesian cuisines.

3. Yuca: A starchy root vegetable that is commonly used in Latin American and Caribbean cuisines, often boiled or fried and served as a side dish.

4. Taro: A starchy root vegetable that is commonly used in Pacific Islander and Southeast Asian cuisines, often boiled or fried and used in savory dishes.

5. Sweet potato: A root vegetable that is similar in texture and sweetness to plantains, often used in sweet and savory dishes.