History tells us that plantains are indigenous to equator-bordering lands in Southeast Asia. Spanish and African slave traders brought the fruit with them to the Caribbean on slave ships.
Are plantains native to the Caribbean?
Plantains are native to India and the Caribbean where they are treated as more vegetable than fruit. Although there is no formal botanical distinction between bananas and plantains, “dessert” bananas are generally eaten raw, while plantains are cooked because of their high starch/low sugar.
Where did plantains originally come from?
Plantains are believed to have originated in Southeast Asia. Two groups of plantains are thought to have a common origin: the horn plantain and the French plantain. Both types grow in India, Africa, Egypt, and tropical America. The French plantains also occur in Indonesia and the islands of the Pacific.
How did plantains get to the Dominican Republic?
Dominican-Style Mashed Plantains
Plantains were brought to the island from Africa and were quickly accepted as an essential in the Dominican kitchen.
Do Caribbeans eat plantains?
Platanos or plantains are cooking bananas. They are extremely popular in South America and the Caribbean. This easy plantain side dish adds a nice sweetness to any meal.
Who brought plantain to Jamaica?
The Gros Michel is said to have been introduced to Jamaica by Jean Francois Pouyat, a French botanist and chemist who settled here in 1820. He brought the fruit back from Martinique to his coffee estate in an attempt perhaps to diversify his produce.
Is plantain native to Jamaica?
Jamaican plantains are native to India and are grown extensively in the tropics. They are susceptible to strong winds as they are a plant rather than a tree. Plantain plays an important role in the Jamaican cuisine, it is used as vegetable, source of carbohydrate and deserts.
How did plantain get to Africa?
It is said that In the 15th century plantains were found by Portuguese explorers in Western Africa and taken back to there home for planting. Portuguese explorers found bananas in western Africa and planted some back home.
What culture eats plantains?
CENTRAL AMERICA & CARIBBEAN
In countries in Central America and the Caribbean, such as Cuba, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Panama, Puerto Rico, Haiti and Jamaica, the plantain is either simply fried, boiled or made into plantain soup.
Why are plantains popular in the Caribbean?
Spanish and African slave traders brought the fruit with them to the Caribbean on slave ships. Plantains proved to be a cheap and filling provision for enslaved men and women. The abundance of plantains and their versatility made them the staple ingredient that they are today.
Is Mangú Dominican or Puerto Rican?
Puerto Rico is know for is Mofongo but the Dominican Republic is known for its Mangu. And although they both start with he same raw ingredient a Plantain they end up in to very different places. Mangu Consists of boiled mashed plantains (green or ripe) with butter, garlic, and salt.
Who invented Mangú?
What is the origin of mangú? Mangú came from the region of the Congo, when there was slave trade, from a similar dish they eat made with boiled plantains. The name of the dish is mangusi. The word mangú comes from this West African word mangusi, which refers to any mashed vegetable from the earth.
How do plantains grow in Trinidad?
Initial plantain plant care requires well-draining soil, regular watering, and protection from wind or frost. Choose a sunny, warm area of your garden and dig a hole that is as deep as the root ball. Plant the plantain at the same level it was growing in the pot. Keep the plantain 4-6 feet (1-2 m.)
Where did fried plantains originate?
Fried plantain is also eaten in some countries in South America or the Caribbean where African influence is present.
Kelewele.
| Type | Snack |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | Ghana |
| Main ingredients | Plantains, spices |
Can dogs eat plantains?
Dogs can eat small amounts of cooked plantains, but you should avoid feeding your pooch raw plantains, which are choking hazards. Bake or boil plantains to soften them before slicing them into small manageable pieces.
What food did the Chinese bring to Jamaica?
“People don’t realize that rice and peas came from Chinese people who came to Jamaica,” says Fowles, who explains that rice was not a staple in Jamaica before Chinese immigrants arrived. Chinese cooking techniques transformed Jamaican cuisine, as well, introducing the island to quick sautés.
What food did the African bring to the Caribbean?
The slaves’ diet consisted of a mix of traditional African foods brought over to the Caribbean (including okra, blackeyed peas, saltfish, ackee, mangos, kidney beans and rice), vegetables and fruits native to the Caribbean (such as papaya, yams, guavas and cassava).
What food did the Africans bring to Jamaica?
Benjie points as an example to the island’s produce, its yams and plantains, which were first brought from Africa to Jamaica during the days of slavery as fuel for enslaved Africans on the island’s plantations.
Which ethnic group brought banana to Jamaica?
the Spanish
Bananas, native to Southeast Asia, were brought to Jamaica in the early 16th century by the Spanish. Today, bananas are an important source of farm income, especially in St. Mary, Portland and St. James, and the fruit is a very popular staple among Jamaicans, whether green or ripe.
What are Jamaican bananas called?
The traditional varieties of bananas grown in Jamaica include Robusta, Williams (Ziv), Grand Nain, Lacatan, and Gros Michel.
Do Jamaicans eat plantains?
In Jamaica plantains are boiled, roasted or most commonly fried. Fried sweet plantains are eaten on the side with savory dishes like Stew Peas and Rice or Ackee and Saltfish.