Because plantains are typically used in recipes that require cooking them, common uses for the plantain include peeling the skin from the plantain, slicing pieces of it, then frying the pieces in hot oil to serve as a side dish to entrees, or as a snack. Additionally, more ripe plantains can be saut ed in butter with sweet spices as an exotic dessert. Plantains are also commonly used as an ingredient in stews and soups, especially those that include other tropical vegetables such as yuca and jicama. Plantains are a very healthy fruit to eat. This is because they do not contain any cholesterol or sodium and are low in fat.
Plantains also provide an excellent source of dietary fiber.
Besides being sold in their natural, raw form, plantains are also used by commercial manufacturers to produce snack foods and medicinal products. For example, plantain chips, which are similar to potato chips but sweeter in flavor, are now sold in many larger supermarkets and specialty food stores. Additionally, plantains are combined with other natural ingredients to produce ointments that claim to alleviate the pain caused by insect bites and to help reduce the swelling of boils and other skin problems. Plantains are a versatile fruit that can be used in many ways. Also details uses for plantains in cooking and as a medicinal product.