Plantains are starchy bananas that replace potatoes

Plantains, large starchy bananas from the Musa genus, are a vital food source requiring cooking to become edible. Unlike sweet dessert bananas, they're harvested green, their high starch content transforming into a soft, potato-like texture when boiled, fried, or baked. This versatility makes them a dietary staple in tropical regions of Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America, providing essential carbohydrates where potatoes struggle to grow.