All About Plantains
- Rolanda Stinson
- May 15, 2022
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 27
By Rolanda Stinson-Smiley
Green plantains or “plátanos” are closely related to the banana. Ecuador is one of the top producers of both bananas and plantains. In the mid-1950s, Ecuador was the largest banana and plantain producer in the world. By 1960, those exports from Ecuador accounted for 25 percent of the world's production, outproducing all other South American countries. Green plantains are starchy and firmer than their yellow counterparts. They taste a lot like potatoes, are more difficult to peel, and must always be cooked before consumption. For health conscious folks, green plantains are considered a beneficial starch.
On the coast, particularly in Manta, green plantain is a staple part of almost every dish. Dining at any restaurant here, you are bound to find fried plantains (patacones) somewhere on the menu. Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day and I’ve found
