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Dawn Jackson Blatner, Responds:
Plantains can be a healthy snack if they’re baked or sautéed.
Baking: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Trim each end and cut the plantains in half lengthwise, either with the skin or without. Place on a baking sheet with the flesh facing up for about 30 to 45 minutes until tender.
Sautéing: Peel and chop the plantains. In a skillet, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of olive oil and sauté the plantains for about 15 minutes until tender.
Either baked or sautéed, 1 cup contains about 180 calories and more than 3 grams of fiber. And one wonderful characteristic of plantains is that they taste different at different stages of ripening. When they’re green, they’re not sweet, but as they turn yellow and then yellow with black spots, they’re sweeter. And when the outside is completely black, they’re sweetest. At each stage, you can pump up the flavor without adding many calories. For example, when plantains are green or yellow, dash on some salt, pepper, garlic, lime, cilantro, curry, or cumin. If they’re yellow with black spots or black, sprinkle with allspice, cinnamon, or cloves.
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Dawn Jackson Blatner
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