Plantains are a tasty and flexible food, enjoyed around the world, and can be used in both sweet and savory dishes. But if you have firm, unripe plantains and you need them soft and sweet sooner, this guide will show you how to make them ripen faster so you can start cooking with them right away.
Belonging to the banana family, plantains are common in warm, tropical places. They’re much-loved in various cuisines for their diverse use in numerous dishes.
Waiting for plantains to ripen by themselves can take a while, and that’s not ideal if you’re in a hurry to use them. The good news is, there are some tricks to make plantains ripen quicker.
Table of Contents
About Plantains
Plantains look like bananas, but they’re bigger, with a thicker skin and a more starchy, less sweet flavor when unripe. They can be eaten at various stages of ripeness, each giving a different taste and texture suitable for specific recipes.
Why Ripen Plantains?
While green plantains are great for certain dishes, many people love ripe plantains for their sweetness and tenderness, which are perfect for desserts and other sweet treats. Yet, getting to the perfect level of ripeness often takes days, which can feel like forever when you’re eager to start cooking.
What Affects Ripening?
Ripening times for plantains can change depending on several things like how warm and humid it is. They’ll ripen faster in a warm and damp environment compared to in cool, dry conditions.
Another thing that speeds up ripening is a gas called ethylene. Plantains (and some other fruits) let out this gas, which helps make them ripe.
Speedy Ripening Techniques
Let’s explore various ways to ripen plantains quickly:
Brown Paper Bag Trick
Putting plantains in a brown paper bag with an apple or a banana can make them ripen much faster. The fruit gives off ethylene gas, which gets trapped by the bag, making the plantains ripe quicker.
Oven Method
You can also ripen plantains by warming them in the oven. Place them on a tray and bake at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 15-20 minutes. The heat will help the ripening process along.
Boiling Method
Boil the whole plantains for about 10-15 minutes. The heat from the boiling water will soften them and make them ripe faster.
Microwave Technique
With a fork, poke some holes in the plantains’ skin and microwave them for 30 seconds to a minute. This can break down the starches, speeding up the ripening.
Ethylene Gas Method
Similar to the paper bag trick, you can seal plantains in a container with a fruit that releases ethylene, like a ripe banana or apple, which hastens the ripening.
Storing Ripe Plantains
Once ripe, you should keep your plantains cool in the fridge to stop them from getting too ripe. Put them in a plastic bag or an airtight container. If you won’t be using them right away, ripe plantains can also be frozen and later used in shakes, baking, or other recipes.
Final Thoughts
When you’re short on time and need ripe plantains, any of these methods can help you out. Whether you choose the paper bag method, oven baking, boiling, microwaving, or using ethylene gas, your plantains will be ready for your dishes sooner.
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