There have been times when we were a bit too crazy at the grocery store and came home with more of a product than we wanted.
However, fresh fruits like plantains can be kept in the pantry for up to a week. How do you preserve them so that they are available later?
Can you freeze plantains? You can freeze plantains, both cooked and raw. To preserve the flavor and texture of the plantains, it is important to minimize air and moisture exposure.
Plantains can be stored in the freezer, which is a great option. However, it must be done properly to ensure they remain in their best condition.
You have a lot of ripe plantains and they are not at their best. Read on to learn how to preserve them longer!
What are Plantains?
Plantain and banana look very similar, so it would be easy to mistake them for each other. Although they are both members of the same plant family, they are used in completely different ways.
Plantains are a type fruit but are treated as if they were vegetables. They are less sweet than bananas, and they have a very starchy structure. They can be eaten raw but they should be cooked before they are consumed.
Plantains are a hugely popular ingredient in many cuisines, especially in the Caribbean and Africa, and Southeast Asia.
Plantains are unique in that they can be prepared and eaten before they ripen.
The unripe plantain fruit at this stage is hardy, greeny-yellow and starchy and can withstand cooking methods like boiling and frying.
The plantain becomes sweeter as it ripens and turns to a deep yellow, then black color. Ripe plantsains can be baked in their skins just like a potato.
It is actually easier to see plantains as being more like sweet potatoes than bananas. You can cook them in the same way. They can be mashed, boiled or steamed.
They are starchy and have a dense texture. A delicious culinary delight that everyone should enjoy is roast plantains with butter and freshly ground salt.
Can you really freeze plantains?
Plantains are very versatile and a small amount can go a long way. These versatile fruits can be purchased in bundles. However, this will usually suffice to provide you with enough plantains for many weeks.
This fruit can be cooked in a variety of ways and served either as a side or main dish. Plantain is very filling because of its high carbohydrate content. A small portion can result in a lot of calories.
Plantains keep well and slowly ripen at room temperatures over a few weeks. They will eventually become mushy and overripe.
Is freezing plantains a good option to prevent this?
You can freeze plantains, which is a great news! You can freeze plantains in a matter of minutes by following a few easy steps.
There are many options for how to freeze plantains. It all depends on the ripeness and the extent of cooking.
Plantains, unlike many fruits, retain their taste and texture when frozen. Plantains are susceptible to freezing burn, so it is important to protect them from moisture and air.
Let’s look at some of the best ways to freeze plantains in order to preserve these versatile and delicious fruits in their best condition.
Can you freeze unripe plantains?
Unripe green plantains can be frozen but will require careful preparation.
If you want to enjoy unripe plantains before they are fully ripe, freezing them is an excellent option. They can be kept as they are with their rich starchy texture and delicious flavor.
Unripe plantains can be frozen by not peeling them — they can be notoriously difficult to peel when they are still young!
scoring the skin around unripe plantains several times is the key to peeling them. The top, bottom are then removed. Finally, the peel is pulled out from the outside.
The remaining fruit will remain underneath. It can then be cut and frozen just like ripe plantain.
Flash-freeze your fruit in batches on parchment paper before placing them in an airtight container or bag.
This prevents the plantain pieces from sticking together and makes it easier to get just the right amount out of the freezer when you need it.
Can you freeze ripe plantains?
If you want to preserve ripe plantains for longer periods of time, freezing them is a good option. The freezer is becoming a more popular option to cut food waste. This also allows us to have a wider variety of ingredients at our disposal.
How to freeze-cut ripe plantsains:
- The fruit should be peeled and then cut into smaller pieces. You can cut the fruit into halves, rounds, chunks, or chips, depending on how you prepare them.
- Place the plantain pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Place the pieces of plantain in one layer so they don’t touch.
- Place the tray in the freezer for approximately two hours until the fruit has frozen solid.
- Place the frozen plantain pieces in a ziplock freezer bag and let it cool.
- The contents and date should be labeled on the bag before it is returned to the freezer.
You can roast whole plantains in an oven. If you don’t want to peel or chop them, you can freeze them whole.
How to freeze whole ripe plantsains:
- You can simply separate the fruits and place them on a baking sheet in the freezer.
- Transfer them to a bag, or an airtight container. They are ready to be used next time you feel like roasting plantains with your meal.
Can you freeze cooked plantains?
Plantains are a joy because of their versatility. They can be baked, mashed or steamed and can also be fried, boiled, steamed or grilled. maduros are a huge favorite of ours!
Cooked plantains can be stored in the freezer, regardless of how you cook them.
Cooked plantains can be stored in the freezer for up to 12 month depending on how they were prepared.
Mashed plantain is an excellent side dish that can be stored well. Frozen fried plantain can be frozen in any length.
No matter what method you use to cook your plantains the most important thing is that oxygen and water can quickly cause freeze burn.
To preserve their best, cooked plantains must be kept in an airtight container or bag.
How long can plantains stay frozen?
Plantains, which are high in moisture, do not last long when kept in the freezer.
Plantain can lose its flavor over time and is susceptible to freezing burn. The texture of fruits and vegetables can become tough and leathery from freezer burn.
The freezer can store plantain pieces that are larger than usual for a longer time.
Whole unpeeled plantains may be frozen for as long as 12 months. However, small cubes can begin to deteriorate in just three months.
How to Defrost Frozen Fruits
Plantains can be frozen and cooked in the freezer. You can simply take what you need from the freezer, and then cook it according to your usual methods.
This will however increase the cooking time so it is best to first defrost the plantains.
It is best to freeze plantains overnight in the fridge.
You can cut your plantains before freezing. This will allow you to take only what you need for your recipe and keep the rest in the freezer.
Place the frozen plantain pieces in an airtight container. This will prevent them from absorbing any other flavors or odors.
Keep the container in the refrigerator overnight until the fruit has thawed completely.
Plantains can be frozen at room temperature, or in warm water baths if you’re in a hurry.
Do not defrost frozen plantains using the microwave - the high water content will cause them to start cooking on the outside after the center has thawed.
