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Boiled Green Banana is a Jamaican delicacy known for its simplicity and delicious flavour. Learn how to boil green bananas so you can enjoy them as a healthy side dish or add them to your favourite Caribbean recipes.
Want to try more green banana recipes? Check out this supremely creamy Green Banana Porridge next!
Table of Contents
- Boiled green banana
- Here’s why you’ll love this boiled banana recipe
- What are boiled bananas?
- Are green bananas edible?
- What happens if you boil a banana and drink the water?
- Boiled banana benefits
- Ingredients
- How to cook boiled green banana
- What to serve with boiled green banana
- Tips
- Storage & reheating instructions
- Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- Interested in more delicious Jamaican recipes? Check these out!
- Boiled Green Banana Recipe
Boiled green banana
When it comes to Jamaican food, bananas are a staple. Jamaica was the first commercial banana producer in the Western Hemisphere. The export trade began in 1866 and it’s been thriving ever since.
Chances are you’ve eaten a raw banana, adding it to smoothies, cereal, yogurt and more. But have you ever tried boiling them? Boiled bananas are a simple, affordable dish popular across the island and beyond!
Here’s why you’ll love this boiled banana recipe
- Nutritious: Bananas are a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, iron and calcium. They’re also packed with fiber and low in calories.
- So Easy: Simply salt some water and add in your green bananas. The whole process takes just 30 minutes from start to finish.
- Versatile: This boiled dish works as a tasty, healthy side for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
What are boiled bananas?
Boiled bananas are unripe or green bananas boiled until tender. The ideal texture is soft, but not mushy. Boiled green bananas have a subtle sweetness but are not as sweet as ripe yellow bananas.
This Caribbean staple is enjoyed as a side dish or snack and are often eaten as a vegetable, boiled, blended, mashed and rarely ever eaten raw.
Are green bananas edible?
Although they’re less sweet than ripe yellow bananas, you can eat green bananas. They contain more starch, with a firmer structure which makes them great for boiling. Enjoy them while they’re hot.
What happens if you boil a banana and drink the water?
You can drink the water used to boil the fruit. It’s essentially banana tea, a healthy beverage that can prevent bloating and help you get a good night’s rest.
Boiled banana benefits
- Weight Loss: The pectin present in boiled bananas increases the feeling of fullness, which eventually leads to reduced body fat.
- Sleep Aid: Boiled bananas contain magnesium and tryptophan, which promote relaxation and help regulate sleep patterns, making them a natural sleep aid.
- Digestive Aid: Green bananas can ease the discomfort of diarrhea due to their fiber and probiotic content. They also contain resistant starch, which promotes healthy digestion. Additionally, their probiotic content supports gut health and overall digestive function.
Ingredients
- Green Bananas: Select blemish-free green bananas with a little give.
- Water: For boiling.
- Salt: Add to taste.
How to cook boiled green banana
- Wash the bananas thoroughly under cool water. Trim both ends of each banana and make a shallow cut in the skin along the outer (long) side without piercing the fruit.
- Add water to a large pot and bring to a rapid boil over medium-high heat. Add salt to the water (about 1-2 teaspoons, or to taste), then carefully add in the bananas.
- Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to medium and let the bananas simmer. Allow them to cook for about 20-30 minutes or until they become tender. You can check the doneness by inserting a fork into the bananas; they should be soft but not mushy.
- Once cooked, the skin of the banana should come off easily. Discard skin, serve while hot and enjoy!
What to serve with boiled green banana
- Callaloo: This traditional Caribbean dish is bursting with leafy greens and rich coconut milk. Served with bananas, it’s a tasty vegan balance of earthy flavours and creamy textures.
- Ackee and Saltfish: Enjoy a flavourful combination of tender ackee fruit sautéed with salted cod and subtly sweet boiled bananas for the ultimate Jamaican breakfast.
- Saucy Dishes: Saucy and savoury curry or brown stew would pair well with this dish.
- Carb Substitute: Serve this starchy fruit the same way you would potatoes or rice.
Tips
- Remember to rinse the bananas under cool water to remove any dirt before boiling them.
- Gently score the banana skin with the tip of the knife so you don’t pierce the flesh of the fruit.
- Boil the fruit with the peel on. It prevents the bananas from staining (as much) and also makes them softer. Also, boiling the fruit makes it easier to peel later.
- The peel will grow darker in colour the longer it sits in the boiling water. That’s totally normal.
- If you want to try boiling them without the peel, add a little oil and a peel so the bananas keep their natural colour.
Storage & reheating instructions
Store leftover green bananas in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat with a splash of water or milk, until warmed through.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Boiled bananas are a nutritious side dish that can be added to soups and stews.
Boiling underripe bananas tenderizes the fruit, making it soft and easier to eat.
Bananas contain magnesium and tryptophan, which can help relax the muscles, making it easier to fall asleep.
One serving contains 27g of carbohydrates however, green bananas contain more resistant starch, which isn’t fully absorbed by the body. So the impact on blood sugar levels is lower than ripe bananas.
Interested in more delicious Jamaican recipes? Check these out!
- Green Banana Porridge
- Jamaican Banana Fritters
- Mannish Water (Goat Soup)
- Jamaican Boiled Dumplings
- Homemade Plantain Chips 3-Ways
- Fried Plantains Recipe
- Jamaican Breakfast Ideas
- The Best Jamaican Recipes
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Boiled Green Banana
Equipment
- Large Pot
Ingredients
- 4-6 Green Bananas
- Water for Boiling
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Wash the bananas thoroughly under cool water. Trim both ends of each banana and make a shallow cut in the skin along the outer (long) side without piercing the fruit.
- Add water to a large pot and bring to a rapid boil over medium-high heat. Add salt to the water (about 1-2 teaspoons, or to taste), then carefully add in the bananas.
- Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to medium and let the bananas simmer. Allow them to cook for about 20-30 minutes or until they become tender. You can check the doneness by inserting a fork into the bananas; they should be soft but not mushy.
- Once cooked, the skin of the banana should come off easily. Discard skin, serve while hot and enjoy!
Are the instructions and cooking time the same if the banana skin is removed?
Hi! The cooking time will vary ever so slightly if the skin is removed. My recommendation is to check for doneness by piercing the banana with a fork. If it goes in easily, the bananas are done! Hope this helps!