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Matooke (steamed green plantains): photo of the dish
Illustrative photo: Wikistallion — CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Everyday meals

Matooke (steamed green plantains)

Matooke is a mash of green plantain bananas steamed in their leaves, with a dense, slightly starchy texture. It is Uganda's staple food, served daily, often with a peanut sauce or a stewed meat.

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Ingredients

Ingredients

Spices & seasoning

Optional extras

On the side

Instructions

  1. Peel the green plantain bananas with a knife, removing the thin skin and keeping the firm flesh. Cut them in half lengthwise, then rinse.
  2. Line the bottom of a large pot with banana leaves or oiled parchment paper, leaving the edges hanging over.
  3. Arrange the bananas on the leaves, sprinkle with salt and add a drizzle of oil. Fold the leaves to enclose the bananas well.
  4. Add a little water to the pot, without letting the bananas soak. Cover and steam over medium heat for 45 to 60 minutes, until the bananas are very tender when pierced with a fork.
  5. Carefully remove the packets, open them and mash the still-hot bananas in a mortar or with a pestle until you have a smooth, supple paste.
  6. Shape the mash into balls or portions and serve right away, with your peanut sauce or stewed meat.

Variations and tips

Sweet version. Add a pinch of sugar and a little coconut milk before mashing for a milder taste.

Using what's easy to find here. If green plantains are hard to find, use potatoes steamed until tender, whose starchy texture is quite close.

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Original Ecomely recipe.