How To Quickly Microwave a Plantain
Learn how to quickly microwave a plantain for a delicious, healthy snack or side dish in just a few minutes. This easy and healthy method preserves the plantain's natural sweetness and soft texture. Perfect for busy days or when you're craving something simple and nutritious!
Servings: 1 Serving
Calories: 218kcal
Equipment
- 1 Microwave-safe plate To quickly steam and soften the plantain.
- 1 Wet paper towel To wrap the plantain and steam it in the microwave.
- 1 Knife For cutting the plantain.
- Plate or bowl For serving the cooked ripe plantain.
Ingredients
- 1 large, ripe, and sweet plantain
- water
Instructions
- Cut the ends of the plantain and discard them (don't peel yet). Make a lengthwise cross-section cut halfway through the plantain.1 large, ripe, and sweet plantain
- Wrap it in a large paper towel. Wet the paper towel with a bit of water on all sides.water
- Place the wrapped plantain in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes on high heat. Let it cool for 1 minute. Carefully remove the plantain from the microwave, unwrap, and peel the soft fruit. It should be soft and tender.
- Place the peeled plantain on a small plate or bowl, cut side up, and gently open it to create a boat shape. Top with a fried egg or your choice of toppings.
Notes
Helpful Tips:
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- Alert: Be careful when taking the plantain out of the microwave. It's very hot. So let it sit for a few seconds to a minute.
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- Microwave Settings: I prefer three full minutes on high settings, but if the plantain is already quite mushy or you like it less soft, go for a minute less. Always check for the desired consistency and microwave for an extra minute if you like it softer.
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- Microwaving More Than One: Double or triple the ingredients for large portions! If you carefully unwrap, you can reuse the wet paper towel to microwave other plantains. Always slightly wet it again. I sometimes reuse the same paper towel to microwave up to 4 plantains.
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- Green Plantains & Ripening Process: If you only find green or hard yellow plantains in-store, ripe them at home by placing them in a large brown bag at room temperature. A fair warning: It can take several days to a week before plantains are ripe and wonderfully sweet. It all depends on the season and temperature. Lately, I have been adding some apples to the bag, which speeds up the process. Usually, local Asian or Latin markets carry already ripened plantains if you are in a hurry.
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- Go For Sweet Plantains: This method works best with very ripe plantains. They can be primarily black with some yellow spots yet still feel slightly firm or yellow plantains with brown spots here and there. Make sure they have the sweet aroma of bananas and are somewhat soft when placing some pressure on them with your thumb.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 | Calories: 218kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Sodium: 7mg | Potassium: 872mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 2023IU | Vitamin C: 33mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 1mg
