Why You Shouldn’t Throw Away That Over Ripe Plantain

A few days ago, I bought some ripe plantain for dinner. When I noticed that it was a bit much, I left two pieces. In less than 3 days, the plantains were over ripe. I thought of throwing them away but, hey, I remembered some delicious and tasty meal we can all make with over ripe plantain instead of tossing them into the dustbin.

Right now, we don’t need any form of wastage because the cost of foodstuffs has gone high. So, do you have some over ripe plantain at home right now? Why not use them to make any of these three tasty and mouth-watering dishes born out of the need to avoid wasting over ripe plantain.

Beans and over ripe plantain porridge

You should add your overripe plantain to your beans when cooking instead of throwing it away. The plantain gives the beans a different and sweet taste. It’s a popular dish and one of the best dishes to use to get your children to eat beans.

Ingredients    

·        2 cups honey beans

·        2 finger of overripe plantain

·        1 medium onion bulbs

·        10 pieces atarodo

·        1/2 cup palm oil

·        Salt to taste

·        2 seasoning cubes

·        Crayfish

Preparation

When the beans are tender, add the chopped onions, blended pepper, diced overripe plantains, salt, crayfish, and seasoning cubes. Add more water if necessary. Cover the pot and allow to cook for another 10 minutes. Add the palm oil. Taste for salt. Allow to cook for another 5-7 minutes. Stir gently and allow to cook on low heat for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat. And enjoy your beans and overripe plantain porridge either hot or cold. The choice is yours.

Plantain pancakes

You can try something new and different with over ripe plantain like plantain pancakes. Plantain pancake is simple and easy to make. It’s usually tasty when combined with the right ingredients in the right proportion. Note that the lighter the batter, the thinner the pancakes will turn out.

Ingredients

·        2 over ripe Plantains

·        5 pieces of scotch bonnet (atarodo)

·        1 medium size bulb of onion

·        One egg

·        Sugar

·        Seasoning

·        Flour

·        Groundnut oil

Note: You can add as many ingredients as possible to your taste.

 Preparation

· Peel and slice over ripe plantain.

· Blend over ripe plantain till smooth and pour into a bowl. Break and blend the egg into the mixture.

·Add a cup of flour, blended pepper, and onion. Add sugar, seasoning cubes and mix properly.

·Coat heated frying pan with one tablespoon of oil.

· If the mixture is too thick, add a little water and continue to stir until the pancake batter is smooth with a runny consistency, but not too watery.

· On low heat, gently scoop some of the plantain pancake batter and pour it into the hot pan. As soon as one side turns golden, flip over and allow the other side to cook.

· Repeat this process for the remaining pancake batter. Always grease the pan before use.

You can serve with sardine, syrup or sauce. Plantain pancakes can either be enjoyed as a snack with a chilled drink or eaten as breakfast or dinner with a hot or cold beverage.

 Plantain Moi moi (Ukpo Ogede)

The plantain Moi moi also known as Ukpo Ogede is a delicious Igbo recipe. This meal is a great way of using over ripe plantain without throwing them away.

Ingredients

·        2 pcs over ripe plantain

·        100g plantain flour

·        1-2 cooking spoons palm oil

·        1 teaspoon ground crayfish

·        1 medium size bulb of onion

·        Pepper

·        Salt (to taste)

·        Seasoning cubes

·        Deboned boiled fish or prawns (optional)

·        Uwa/Moi moi leaves, aluminum foil or bowls (You can use any of these containers)

Preparation

· Place the plantain flour into a bowl, add a little warm water and mix until you get a smooth paste, set aside.

· Peel and slice the over ripe plantain, blend with crayfish, onions, and pepper into a smooth paste and pour into the bowl of plantain flour. Mix thoroughly and add a little warm water to get a lighter but not watery consistency.

· Add salt, deboned fish and palm oil. Mix thoroughly till well combined.

· Place a base like scrap pieces of the leaf stalks from the uma/Moi moi leaves, pour a small quantity of water into the pot and heat.

· Scoop the mixture into folded moi moi leaves and gently place the wraps into the pot of boiling water and cook for 20-25 minutes. Add water along the way if necessary.

·  Leave to cool down, and then serve.

The meal can be eaten as a snack with a chilled drink or as a meal served with custard, pap, oatmeal.

So, don’t ever throw away your over ripe plantain anymore!!