It is said that plantains (Musa paradisiaca) originated from SouthEast Asia, but we also know that, as far back as the 13th century, Ogoni traders cultivated and traded them along the Delta*. Plantains may sometimes look like bananas, but they’re not to be confused with them. They are not just larger, they are more starchy—of course, that’s where it’s caramelised sweetness comes from once fried.
When it comes to versatility, plantains are it! They grow green, and ripen yellow, slowly blackening when overripe. Still, in any state of ripeness, plantains make delicious meals from chips to dodo to mosa! You can eat them as a snack, a main dish, or as a side dish with a number of meals. It’s no wonder plantain is loved and eaten beyond Nigeria—from West Africa to the Caribbeans, and from Asia to South and Central America.
