What are Plantain leaves and how can they be eaten? Boasting many health benefits and used medicinally plantain leaves can also be a tasty treat. Not to be confused with the Plantain fruit, plantain leaves can be cooked in the following 3 ways:
Plantain Roll
- 4 Servings
- Preparation time: 30 minutes
- Cooking time: 50 minutes
Ingredients
- 200g plantain leaves
- 4 red potatoes
- 280g flour
- 60g Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, grated
- 80g dry mozzarella, diced
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- A pinch of nutmeg
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Place the potatoes in a pan and cover them with water. Season with coarse salt and bring to a boil. Cook until fork-tender.
- Drain the potatoes and let them cool.
- Preheat the oven to 170°C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and blanch plantain leaves for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Drain the leaves and transfer them onto a cutting board. Chop the leaves.
- Heat extra virgin olive oil in a non-stick skillet and cook plantain leaves for 10 minutes over medium-low heat, stirring frequently.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Peel the potatoes and place them into a large mixing bowl. Mash them with a potato masher.
- Add the flour, egg, grated cheese, a pinch of nutmeg, salt and pepper.
- Work the dough until homogeneous.
- Spread the dough onto the parchment paper to form a 1 cm thick rectangle.
- Sprinkle the dough with grated cheese, diced mozzarella and evenly distribute chopped plantain.
- With the help of parchment paper, roll the dough.
- Spray with extra virgin olive oil and bake for 25 minutes.
Additional tips
- Add more flour if needed.
- For more flavour, season the potatoes with turmeric powder.
Creamy Plantain
- 4 Servings
- Preparation time: 5 minutes
- Cooking time: 15 minutes
Ingredients
- 300g plantain leaves, cleaned and rinsed
- 100ml dry white wine
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 15g butter
- A pinch of chilli powder
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Heat extra virgin olive oil and butter over medium heat.
- Brown plantain leaves for a couple of minutes.
- Blend with wine and cook until it evaporates.
- Season with chilli powder, salt and pepper.
- Cover and cook for 8 to 10 minutes over low heat.
- Serve and enjoy.
Additional tips
- Serve with roasted meat or grilled fish.
- You can add a few drops of fresh cream and turmeric powder.
Plantain Pesto
- 2 Servings
- Preparation time: 10 minutes
- Cooking time: —
Ingredients
- 80g plantain leaves, cleaned and rinsed
- 30ml extra virgin olive oil
- 25g pine nuts, chopped
- 30g Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, grated
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in a high-speed blender.
- Blend until you obtain a smooth and homogenous cream.
- Serve and enjoy.
Additional tips
- You can refrigerate plantain pesto for a couple of days in an air-tight container.
- Serve with pasta and chopped nuts, or browned king-size shrimps.
