Plantain is a starchy fruit that’s part of the banana family but it isn’t quite like a banana. Typically, you wouldn’t eat it raw because the plantain is starchier and is not as sweet as a banana. Their skins are also much thicker than bananas. You need to cook plantains before you eat them. Bananas are less starchier. You can eat bananas uncooked as long as they are ripe, although you can cook them too if you prefer.