Plantains vs. Bananas: There is a difference.
Plantains are commonly confused in non-Latino countries as bananas because they look similar, which is actually because they are both in the same family group.
The difference is that bananas are a fruit while plantains are considered a vegetable since they need to be cooked due to their starchiness.
Plantains, as shown in the pictures above, are visibly different than bananas in that they come in various colors, and they are ultimately larger.
Types of Plantains:
-
Green: they are a savory kind of plantain that is cooked by being fried and then lightly salted. They are also common in Latin cuisine as a side dish.
Before cooking:
After cooking:
-
Yellow: the yellow plantains are harder on the outside than bananas and sweet but not as sweet as a banana. They can be lightly salted to get a combination of sweet and salty.
Before cooking:
After cooking:
Recipes with plantains: Here are links to delicious plantain recipes that I’ve tried.
I hope this helped with the understanding of plantains! Please try some of the delicious recipes above to know first hand.