Now that we have shown everyone about the Ugandan love affair with the banana, we thought we’d share some recipes from the people who eat more of this fruit than anyone on the planet. If anyone knows how to cook bananas, they do.
Plantain/ Banana Distinction
There are a variety of banana types grown in Uganda, but most fall into two distinct categories. In short, the dessert banana (most common in US/ Europe) has soft, sweet flesh & can be eaten raw. Cooking bananas (plantain) are firmer, less sweet & require cooking before eating (similar to potatoes). Matooke is among the national dishes of Uganda & commonly eaten. It is made from plantain which is harvested when the fruit is still green.
National Dish
There are many ways to make matooke, depending what you are in the mood for. There is a reason this is such a popular dish, it’s incredibly versatile! Cook to taste, whether you want a side dish or a proper entree.
Steaming
1. Peel & slice plantains into chunks.
2. Wrap chunks in banana leaves.
3. Steam the matooke until tender (takes a few hours).
5. Mash the fruit while still wrapped in the leaves.
6. Serve on fresh banana leaves to save washing up!
Boiling
1. Peel & slice matooke into chunks.
2. Sprinkle with lemon juice.
3. Add sliced onions, peppers & garlic into a large frying pan with a dollop of oil.
4. Cook until vegetables are tender & season to tased with salt, pepper or coriander.
5. Add meat (beef/ chicken/ fish, you decide) & broth (again it all tastes good).
6. Cook until meat is almost finished then add matooke. Cover & simmer until matooke is tender.
Find out More
To learn more about banana farming in Uganda (or banana farming in general) visit ProMusa. Plus stay tuned as we plan to share more Ugandan recipes!
