Plantains in Paradise: 5 Plantain Recipes

Click the image to get the Ripe Plantain and Cream Cheese Dip recipe

Let’s talk plantain recipes! Plantain, the awesome cousin of the banana, is a versatile fruit loved around  the Caribbean and the world. Indigenous to Southeast Asia, it looks similar to the banana, but is savory, much larger and more starchy than the banana. Like the banana it can be eaten green or ripe, but unlike the banana, it is not usually eaten raw even in its ripe state.

Whether it’s served ripe as a side dish, as part of a pastry or dessert, or prepared in its unripe state as tostones, mofongo or a tasty bag of green plantain chips, get ready to be plantain-o-fied with these delicious recipes chock full of plantain goodness.  

1. Chef Irie’s Plantain Chips and Ripe Plantain Dip

This is a two-for-one treat. Make this delicious dip straight from Chef Irie’s vault with ripe plantains, cream cheese, orange juice, and the requisite splash of Caribbean rum! Robust, smooth and flavorful. If you’re in the mood you can also make your plantain chips from scratch. If not, pick them up in the ethnic section of your supermarket!

2. Dominican Mangu

Dominican Mangu or mashed plantains, similar to Puerto Rican Mofongo, is a breakfast dish usually served with eggs made sunny side up, Dominican scrambled eggs or salami. Mangu is another unique take on the preparation of the green plantains!

Click the image to get the Dominican Mangu recipe

3. Jamaican  Plantain Tarts

The Jamaican Plantain Tart is true island food. When you bite into it the crust leaves no flakes, and the luscious ripe plantain filling is sweet, flavorful and bright red in color. Simple and yummy!

Click the image to get the recipe for Jamaican Plantain Tarts

4. Pastelon de Platano Maduro (Ripe Plantain Casserole)

Imagine a lasagna with its layers made from mashed sweet plantains, savory melted cheese, and a filing of delicious, spicy ground beef all baked to perfection.

Click the image to get the Plantain Casserole recipe

5. Tostones (Fried Green Plantains)

Otherwise known as Fritos Verde, Tostones are awesomely simple side and loved by both the Spanish and English speaking Caribbean. Mashed, double fried to perfection and sprinkled with salt.

Fried Green Plantain Tostones

Share your Caribbean plantain recipes

Be sure to take photos of your own plantain paradise creations and share them on our facebook page, twitter, pinterest or instagram using the hashtag #tastetheislands so we can share them with our community!