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Plantain

Fruits and Fruit Juices

Starchy banana relative used as a vegetable when green and as a sweet side when ripe. Essential in Latin American and Caribbean cooking.

2 substitutes

Substitutes

Banana

1:1

Ripe bananas can substitute for ripe plantains in sweet applications but are softer and cook more quickly. Green bananas work for unripe plantain dishes.

✅Best for: sweet plantain dishes, smoothies, desserts

⚠️Not for: tostones (green plantains — bananas too soft to fry twice)

vegan gluten-free

Cassava

1:1

Cassava provides a similar starchy, neutral base to green plantains. It's drier and less sweet but works well in savory dishes.

✅Best for: savory side dishes, stews, boiled preparations

⚠️Not for: sweet ripe plantain recipes

vegan gluten-free

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