Editing Cooking banana (section)

==Description==
{{multiple image
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| image1 =Bananavarieties.jpg
| alt1 =
| caption1 =From left to right: plantain, [[red banana]], [[latundan|apple banana]], and [[Cavendish banana]]
| image2 =JfGomezSanta RosaNueva Ecijafvf 02.JPG
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| caption2 =[[Saba banana]]s – ''Musa'' 'Saba' (ABB Group)
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Plantains contain more [[starch]] and less [[sugar]] than dessert bananas, so they are usually cooked or otherwise processed before being eaten. They are typically boiled or fried when eaten green, and when processed, they can be made into flour and turned into baked products such as cakes, bread and pancakes. Green plantains can also be boiled and pureed and then used as thickeners for soups.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=https://emborahome.com/can-you-eat-raw-plantains/
 |title=Can you eat raw plantains?
 |date=10 November 2020
 |publisher=Emborahome
 |access-date=2021-06-14}}</ref> The pulp of green plantain is typically hard, with the peel often so stiff that it must be cut with a knife to be removed.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Rodriguez|first=Hector|date=2020-03-25|title=The Right Way to Peel a Plantain|url=https://www.thespruceeats.com/how-to-peel-a-plantain-2137843|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-05|website=The Spruce Eats|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701170205/https://www.thespruceeats.com/how-to-peel-a-plantain-2137843 |archive-date=1 July 2019 }}</ref>

Mature, yellow plantains can be peeled like typical dessert bananas; the pulp is softer than in immature, green fruit and some of the starch has been converted to sugar. They can be eaten raw, but are not as flavourful as dessert bananas, so are usually cooked. When yellow plantains are fried, they tend to caramelize, turning a golden-brown color. They can also be boiled, baked, microwaved, or grilled over charcoal, either peeled or unpeeled.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Albert|first=Steve|date=2009-07-01|title=Plantains: Kitchen Basics|url=https://harvesttotable.com/plantains_have_a_mild_squashli/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-05|website=Harvest to Table|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817203035/https://harvesttotable.com/plantains_have_a_mild_squashli/ |archive-date=17 August 2021 }}</ref>

Plantains are a [[staple food]] in the tropical regions of the world, ranking as the tenth most important staple food in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pariona |first=Amber |date=2019-06-07 |title=What Are the World's Most Important Staple Foods? |url=https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/most-important-staple-foods-in-the-world.html |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=[[WorldAtlas]] |language=en-US}}</ref> As a staple, plantains are treated in much the same way as potatoes, with a similar neutral flavour and texture when the unripe fruit is cooked by steaming, boiling, or frying.<ref name=":0"/>

Since they fruit all year, plantains are a reliable staple food, particularly in [[developing countries]] with inadequate food storage, preservation, and transportation technologies. In Africa, plantains and bananas provide more than 25 percent of the [[Recommended Daily Intake|caloric requirements]] for over 70 million people.<ref name=uncst>{{cite web|title=THE BIOLOGY OF BANANAS AND PLANTAINS|date=July 2007|author=UNCST|publisher=Uganda National Council for Science and Technology in collaboration with PBS – a US Agency for International Development (USAID)|url=http://www.biovisioneastafrica.com/publications/BIOLOGY%20OF%20BANANAS%20AND%20PLANTAINS-BZ%20Jul07.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111216042631/http://www.biovisioneastafrica.com/publications/BIOLOGY%20OF%20BANANAS%20AND%20PLANTAINS-BZ%20Jul07.pdf|archive-date=16 December 2011}}</ref> Plantain plantations are vulnerable to destruction by hurricanes, because ''Musa'' spp. do not withstand high winds well.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Morse|first=Sarah|title=Banana Tree Wind Damage|url=https://homeguides.sfgate.com/banana-tree-wind-damage-69162.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-05|website=Home Guides {{!}} SF Gate|date=27 March 2013 |language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014144747/http://homeguides.sfgate.com:80/banana-tree-wind-damage-69162.html |archive-date=14 October 2014 }}</ref>

An average plantain provides about {{convert|220|kcal|kJ|order=flip|abbr=off}} of [[food energy]] and is a good source of potassium and dietary fiber.<ref>{{cite web|title=Plantains|url=http://www.chiquitabananas.com/Banana-Information/type-plantains-bananas.aspx|access-date=25 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115020114/http://chiquitabananas.com/Banana-Information/type-plantains-bananas.aspx|archive-date=15 January 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> The sap from the fruit peel, as well as the entire plant, can stain clothing and hands, and can be difficult to remove.<ref name="El Nuevo Dia 2011">{{cite web | title=La mancha de plátano | website=El Nuevo Dia | date=15 April 2011 | url=https://www.elnuevodia.com/ciencia/ciencia/nota/lamanchadeplatano-940761/ | language=es | access-date=30 July 2019}}</ref>