Plantains -- the fruit you treat like a potato

It may resemble a banana, but you're probably not going to want to gnaw on one raw.

Though closely related to bananas, plantains (often called cooking bananas) more often are treated like a vegetable, in part because they are too starchy to be eaten raw.

Common in tropical cuisines, plantains are high in potassium (higher, in fact, than bananas). They are used at all stages of ripeness, but it's best to purchase them green and let them ripen as desired at home at room temperature.

Green plantains are hard and the flesh is starchy, which means they can be cooked and enjoyed much the way you would a potato - boiled, baked, roasted or fried.

When plantains become softer and start to yellow, the flesh begins to turn orange, but keeps its starchy flavor and texture. At this stage, it is best used it in soups and stews.

Once the skin has turned completely black, the flesh becomes sweet. The completely ripened fruit can be baked as a dessert or broiled, sauteed or fried as a sweet side.

Mashed Plantains with Scallions and Fresh Lime Juice, available at dailyherald.com/food, is inspired by a Dominican dish and is an easy way to learn how to use this fruit. The savory, spiced puree is great comfort food, similar to mashed potatoes. Serve it alongside grilled chicken, pork or fish.

<div style="float:right;margin:0 0 6px 0;"> <div class="moreHeader"> Recipes </div> <div class="moreHolder"> <div style="margin:6px;text-wrap:auto;"> <ul class="moreLinks"> <li><a href="/story/?id=294470" class="mediaItem">Mashed plantains with scallions and lime juice</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>