Produce Briefs...
Orange Honeydew Melon
Oval-to-round and a delicious cross between a cantaloupe and a honeydew, the very fleshy juicy orangish-yellow pulp of the orange honeydew melon is encased in a hard very yellow matching rind.
Mache
Mache has been cultivated in France since the 17th century, and in France it is known as doucette. It is also known as "lamb's lettuce" because its leaves resemble the size and shape of a lamb's tongue.
Seasons/Availability
Plantains are available year round.
Current Facts
Actually an entire subset of the banana, the plantain has been in North America far longer than the common banana. Those not familiar with the culinary attributes of plantains often view them as looking too black, too green or too bruised. However, that is exactly how they are to look at their different stages of edible use.
Description/Taste
The plantain is larger and fatter than the common banana. The ripe plantain has a thick dark peel with a starchy and dense pink to pale yellow-hued flesh. Developing a sticky texture, the ripe plantain offers a stronger flavor and becomes even more intense in taste as it ripens. Slow to ripen, plantains may take up to three weeks to become fully ripe.
Nutritional Value
Nutritionally beneficial, plantains have more than twenty times the amount of vitamin A, about three times the vitamin C, double the magnesium, and almost twice the potassium as the common banana. Very low in fat and sodium, they are cholesterol-free and offer a good source of fiber.
Applications
Plantains are widely known as the "cooking banana" with very few exceptions. They are an inexpensive and delicious substitute for rice and potatoes in many Latin American dishes. They can be roasted, baked, pan and deep fried, used for both savory and sweet dishes. In super-ripe Black plantains, the starch has turned to sugar, making them a perfect ingredient for desserts.
Geography/History
Native to the tropics, the plantain is a botanical berry . Rather hardy, the plant may produce fruits up to fifty years depending on its tropical location. In the United States, Hawaii is a major producer. Often labeled "platanos", plantain bananas are now available in many supermarkets.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Cafe Secret | Del Mar CA | 858-792-0821 |
| Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
| Firefly Beach | San Diego CA | 619-222-6440 |
| La Costa Blue Fire | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
| Wet Stone Winebar and Cafe | San Diego CA | 619-255-2856 |
| Nine - Ten | San Diego CA | 858-964-5400 |
| Brigantine Escondido | Escondido CA | 760-743-4718 |
| Burger Lounge Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-955-5727 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Black Plantains. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Cooking Up a Storm |
|
Egg and Chorizo Taco with Plantains, Black Beans and Avocados |
| My Food Geek |
|
Banana Curry |
