Green Bananas Culinary Creativity | The African Gourmet
Green Bananas Culinary Creativity
Green bananas, also known as unripe bananas, are firm, starchy, and mildly tangy. Unlike their ripe yellow counterparts, they hold their shape beautifully when cooked and are perfect for savory African dishes like stews, curries, soups, and even chips. Green bananas are a delicious, healthy substitute for potatoes or yams and can even be mashed to thicken soups.
Green bananas are a perfect substitute for potatoes in many recipes.
Banana Facts and African Heritage
- Bananas float in water.
- Bananas are the most popular fruit in the world.
- Banana skins can be red, pink, purple, or black.
Over 1,000 varieties of bananas are grown and eaten worldwide. In Africa, bananas and plantains are essential staples and a source of livelihood for over 70 million people. East African Highland cooking bananas make up about 70% of all bananas grown on the continent.
Green banana stew for dinner tonight.
People in Central and East Africa consume more bananas per person than anywhere else—up to 440 pounds annually in Uganda, Rwanda, and Cameroon. Bananas thrive across the continent, from the fertile highlands to the Congo Basin, where plantains protect soil and provide food year-round.
African Green Banana Recipes
Fish and Green Banana Stew
- 4 medium fish fillets
- 12 green bananas, peeled and chopped
- ¼ cup freshly ground peanut butter
- 3 tomatoes, sliced
- 2 onions, diced
- 1 hot chili pepper, chopped
- 1 tbsp palm oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions: In a pot, sauté onions in palm oil until soft. Stir in peanut butter, green bananas, tomatoes, fish, and spices. Cover and simmer 10 minutes. Serve over rice or as a stew.
Curried Green Bananas
- 6 green bananas, sliced
- 2 tbsp curry powder
- 2 cups coconut milk
- 1 hot chili pepper, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp palm oil
Directions: In a frying pan, sauté curry powder in oil for 1 minute. Add banana slices and fry lightly. Add chili, salt, and coconut milk. Simmer 20 minutes and serve over rice.
Green Banana Silver Dollar Pancakes
- 6 green bananas, grated
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 tbsp fine cornmeal
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp palm oil
- Vegetable oil for frying
Directions: Mix grated banana with onion, cornmeal, salt, palm oil, and egg. Drop spoonfuls into hot oil and fry until golden. Serve as a snack or side with cheese or tomato sauce.
What Is Palm Oil?
Palm oil for sale in Ghana.
The palm oil tree (Elaeis guineensis) is native to West and Central Africa. Palm oil is harvested year-round and used in countless African recipes. While it provides natural color and flavor, palm oil production also raises environmental concerns due to deforestation in tropical regions.
The Banana Carbon Footprint
Bananas play a crucial role in African diets and global trade. However, understanding their carbon footprint is important. While 75% of Africa’s banana production is consumed locally, global exports contribute to greenhouse gas emissions through farming, shipping, and ripening. Sustainable local consumption remains the best approach.
African Recipes by The African Gourmet