Do plantains taste like bananas?

[CTyankee]

I like bananas. I eat them on my cereal in the morning. Are plantains sweet? Are they good raw or primarily to be cooked?

I see them in the supermarket all the time so I guess folks eat them. I hate to miss out due to abject ignorance and stupidity...

[Phoenix61]

1. They don't taste like bananas at all.

Closer to a potato.

[hlthe2b]

2. Starchy when green. When really ripened, much more sweet, though less mushy than banana

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. They are much starchier, not really banana-flavored.

I've had fried ones, not sure what they taste like raw.

[Dr Hobbitstein]

4. Plantains are pretty starchy.

Now, if you can find black plantains, they’re very sweet. But still, not like a banana.

[pangaia]

5. no no and no

[brush]

6. Go quickly to a Jamaican restaurant and try them. They can be prepared in...

several ways—sometimes as a staple and sometimes even sweet.

[Wheezy]

7. When they are green

they are not sweet--they taste great sliced, smashed, and fried in oil into a thick chip (tostones), or cooked with pork in a stew, hash, or mofongo (or a million other delicious recipes).

When they ripen and turn brown they become sweet but I'm not sure if they can be eaten raw (as in sliced onto cereal like a banana). I'm sure someone else knows, though!

[Merlot]

8. It's my understanding they can't be eaten raw

Fried plantains and plantain chips are SO good. I've eaten fried plantains for breakfast, and I guess you could crumble the chips into your cereal.

[CTyankee]

10. I've seen those, too. I'll try them...

[Wheezy]

13. Thank you Merlot!

That is what I thought as well.

[MuseRider]

9. No

but they are certainly worth eating. Mmmmmm.

[dameatball]

11. When allowed to ripen and then sauteed they take on a bit more sweetness. The Tostones Wheezy

described are great as well. I like them with a bit of mojo sauce.

[IcyPeas]

12. salty plantain chips are yummy.

[SoCalDem]

14. NO... a thousand times no

you pick a ripe one..cut into cubes..cook slowly sprinkle with garlic..smash & brown.. and YUMMY!!!

[CTyankee]

15. well, ok, then...

[SoCalDem]

16. or slice them very thin on a mandolin slicer

deep fry..salt..Heavenly.. The commercialized chips are often sweetened and costly.. and the salted ones I have bought before are often rancid tasting.. I guess not many people buy them quickly enough for a shelf turnover rate that keeps fresh ones available.

They are great with guacamole..but then everything's great with guacamole

[CTyankee]

17. I'll try a well cooked one someday so I'll know what I've been missing...

[Laffy Kat]

18. I keep wanting to try fried plantains.

Part of my neuroses is fear of trying new foods but by golly, I'm gonna do it!

[Mendocino]

19. If like bananas

try to find the pawpaw. Like a banana with mango/cantaloupe flavors.

[912gdm]

20. I had them twice, two different ways

first was cut and fried. they reminded me of thick potato chips, so I wouldn't go out of my way for them..

the second time, they were mushed and wet but fried, if that makes sense. They were sweet and fucking heavenly!. I would kill for a local cuban restaurant