Jamaican Plantain Tarts: A Delicious and Nutritious Treat
Jamaican plantain tart, also known as plantain pie or plantain quiche, is a popular dish in Jamaica and a staple. When I was growing up in Jamaica this savory treat made with ripe plantains and lots of spices was a dish we had to make in cooking class. Making this delicious treat brought back so many memories of high school of when I fell in love with baking. I hope you enjoy this delicious sweet yet nutritious treat.
What is Jamaican plantain tart made of?
Plantain Tarts are made with a flaky pastry crust filled with sweet plantains. Plantain tarts are easy to make and require only a few ingredients. The crust is made with flour, salt, shortening, and butter, while the filling consists of mashed plantains, food coloring, butter, vanilla, rose water, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon. The result is a delicious and nutritious treat that can be enjoyed as a snack or dessert.
Who brought plantain tart to Jamaica?
The history of Jamaican plantain tart dates back to the time of slavery in Jamaica. During this time, enslaved Africans were forced to work on sugar plantations and were given only basic rations for food. To supplement their diets, they would often gather wild fruits and vegetables from the surrounding forests. One such fruit was the plantain. Plantains were a cheap and abundant source of food, and enslaved Africans would use them to make a variety of dishes, including plantain tart. The dish was easy to make, required few ingredients, and could be baked over an open fire.
How to make Jamaican Plantain Tart?
Jamaican plantain tart is a must-try dish that is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. To make Jamaican plantain tarts, start by making the crust. Combine flour, salt, and butter in a mixing bowl, and mix until the mixture is crumbly. Add cold water a little at a time until the dough comes together. Place the dough in the fridge and prepare the plantain. Peel, chop, and boil the plantain then strain, mash, and add the food coloring spices. Roll out the dough and cut circles add plantain to the dough fold over and crimp the edges to seal it. Bake for 25- 30 minutes. And that’s it this is a desert we know you’ll love.
Plantain Health Benefits
What makes plantains so special is their nutritional value. They are a great source of fiber, vitamins B6 and C, and potassium. Plantains are also low in calories and fat, making them an excellent choice for anyone looking to maintain a healthy diet.
What is the healthiest way to eat plantains?
Healthier cooking methods allow you to make this fruit a part of your regular diet.
- Steam-steamed plantains cook quickly with minimal effort.
- Boil-boiled plantains make an easy side to lunches and dinners.
- Bake-baked plantains are an excellent alternative to fried plantains.
- Grill– Grilled plantains are delicious they should be grilled on the skin.
Can diabetics eat plantains?
Green plantains count as starchy vegetables in a diabetes diet and are relatively high in carbohydrates. Prepare them without added fat, sugar, or salt, and they are one of the best starchy vegetable options, according to the American Diabetes Association.
Are plantains inflammatory?
Plantains possess inter-related anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, antioxidative, and neuromodulatory activities.
Is plantain good for blood pressure?
Potassium in foods such as plantain can prevent blockages in the blood vessels. It also prevents the hardening and narrowing of arteries. Both potassium and salt leave the body through urine, therefore one needs to consume/eat foods with potassium daily. Potassium helps to reduce sodium
Are plantains good for gout?
Consuming plantain may aid in gout and hyperuricemia diseases by regulating various biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions.
Is plantain healthier than rice?
Plantains have more vitamins and minerals than rice a cup of plantains has about 7 grams of fiber which is 25 percent of the 28-gram daily value while in a cup of white rice, there is less than 1 gram.
Why are plantains healthier than bananas?
Bananas have fewer carbohydrates and are higher in fiber while plantains are a bit higher in calories. Plantains are rich in carbohydrates. Plantains are rich in potassium, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C.
Jamaican Plantain Tart Ingredients
- Ripe Plantains– The star ingredient, providing sweetness and flavor. Ripe plantains are typically used for their soft texture and enhanced sweetness.
- Pastry Crust– Flour, Butter, Salt, Shortening, and Sugar: These ingredients form the base of the crust. Flour provides structure, butter adds richness and flakiness, salt enhances flavor, and sugar adds a hint of sweetness to complement the filling.
- Egg Wash– Used to brush on top of the pastry crust before baking, giving it a shiny, golden-brown finish.
- Spices– Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Rose Water, and Vanilla Extract: These spices add warmth and depth of flavor to the plantain filling.
- Sugar– Used to sweeten the plantain filling further, balancing out any tartness from the lemon juice and complementing the natural sweetness of the plantains.
- Red Food Coloring– This gives the plantain filling that nice pink color. (LINK HERE)
How to make Jamaican Plantain Tarts
- Prepare the pastry by combining the flour and salt in a bowl. Dice butter and shortening in cubes and add to the flour until incorporated, and the mixture takes on a breadcrumbs look. Add water, and stir into the flour mixture until a dough forms, then knead for a few turns to bring the dough together. Wrap well, and chill for 2 hours in the refrigerator.
- As the dough chills peel plantains and cut them into thirds. Place into a small pot with a little water, 2 tbsp vanilla, and 1 tsp rose water. As soon as it starts to boil and is soft, pour out the water, and mash plantains with 1/4 stick of butter, sugar, vanilla, nutmeg, and red food coloring. Set aside to cool.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thick. Cut into circles using whatever round object you have. Spoon a little of the plantain filling into the center of each circle, then fold in half, to form a half-moon shape, use your fingers to press the edges close and then use a fork to seal the edges (plus give it a nice design). Place the tarts on a baking sheet, and poke holes in the top so it does POP open. Brush with beaten egg and water.
- Bake for 30 minutes, then let it cool and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Plantain FAQs
Plantains are a staple food in many Caribbean countries, including Jamaica. They are similar to bananas but are larger, starchier, and less sweet. Plantains can be boiled, mashed, fried, or baked, and are used in a variety of sweet and savory dishes.
Who brought plantain to Jamaica?
The Spaniards brought many things to Jamaica like oranges, lime and lemon, tamarind, coconut, banana, and grapes to name a few. They also introduced sugar cane, ginger, date palm, pomegranate, plantains, and figs.
Do they have plantains in Jamaica?
In Jamaica, plantains are boiled, roasted, or most commonly fried. Fried sweet plantains are eaten on the side with savory dishes like Stew Peas and Rice or Ackee and Saltfish.
Does raw plantain taste like banana?
Ripe plantains are sweet like a banana, without the banana flavor. They can be eaten raw but are best when fried. The edges caramelize and become crispy the darker the plantain the sweeter it is.
Is plantain a raw banana?
Plantain is a type of banana but with a different flavor and culinary use. Like bananas, they are originally from Southeast Asia, but they’re grown all over the world today. They tend to be larger than bananas and have thicker skin. Plantains are also starchier and lower in sugar than bananas.
Is plantain good or bad for you?
Plantains are not bad for you just like anything frying is the unhealthier way of eating plantain but honestly, it tastes the best fried. Plantains are a carb-rich food and a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They also contain antioxidants that fight free radicals. With good levels of vitamin C, they can also support immune function. Likewise, their vitamin B6 content may reduce cardiovascular risk and improve mood.
Can humans eat raw plantains?
You can eat raw plantains but it’s not recommended; you must cook them due to their high resistant starch content. As plantains ripen, their starch converts to natural sugar, making it even sweeter.
Can you microwave ripe plantains?
Yes, you can microwave ripe plantain. You can quickly steam ripe plantains in their peel wrapped in a paper towel for a couple of minutes in the microwave. It depends on your microwave settings, but it takes anywhere from 3 to 5 minutes on a high setting until your plantain is soft and thoroughly cooked.
“This is an evil in all that is done under the sun: that one thing happens to all. Truly the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil; madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that, they go to the dead. But for him who is joined to all the living there is hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion. For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing, And they have no more reward, For the memory of them is forgotten. Also, their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished; Nevermore will they have a share In anything done under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 9:3-6 NKJV
Wisdom
None of us in life are perfect. All of us are flawed from birth. We only do good to those who do good to us. Super selfish ways, and we think evil thoughts. We have love and hate that comes out of our mouths, we bless people and then we curse people. So many good and evil things we do. But the surest thing in this life we are living is that one day we will die.
But the question is where will your soul end up? As believers in Jesus Christ, we know that there is a judgment day. We will be judged by Him for all the things we have done in our lifetime. Whether good or bad. We can all say that we are sinners in need of a Savior. We have all done bad things we regret we have done to others and to ourselves. Our Savior is Jesus. He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins once we repent, and promises us that we will make it into His Father’s kingdom, as a reward for obedience to Him.
But to those who do not believe, they have no hope. They don’t even consider life after death and what truly happens. They don’t think about being forgiven for all the wrong that they have done and their reward is only in this life. Believe the Gospel and believe the words of Jesus Christ. Think about your life and where you will end up once you die. I pray we all read His words and make the right decision to follow Him, so we can receive the hope and the promise of the kingdom of heaven, to be with Him, before we take our last breath.
More Jamaican Desserts You’ll Love
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Jamaican Plantain Tarts: A Delicious and Nutritious Treat
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup cold butter diced
- 1/4 cup t shortening (chilled and diced)
- 1 egg (beaten with 1 tbsp water)
- Ice-cold water just enough to form a dough
- 3 very ripe black plantains
- 1 cup white sugar to taste
- 4 tbsp vanilla extract 2 tbsp when boiling plantain
- 2 tbsp rose water 1 tsp when boiling plantain
- 1 tsp grated nutmeg
- 1 tbsp cinnamon powder
- 2 drops red food coloring or pink food coloring
Instructions
- Prepare the pastry by combining the flour and salt in a bowl. Dice butter and shortening in cubes and add to the flour until incorporated, and the mixture takes on a breadcrumbs look. Add water, and stir into the flour mixture until a dough forms, then knead for a few turns to bring the dough together. Wrap well, and chill for 2 hours in the refrigerator.
- As the dough chills peel plantains and cut them into thirds. Place into a small pot with a little water, 2 tbsp vanilla, and 1 tsp rose water. As soon as it starts to boil and is soft, pour out the water, and mash plantains with 1/4 stick of butter, sugar, vanilla, nutmeg, and red food coloring. Set aside to cool.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface to 1/4-inch thick. Cut into circles using whatever round object you have. Spoon a little of the plantain filling into the center of each circle, then fold in half, to form a half-moon shape, use your fingers to press the edges close and then use a fork to seal the edges (plus give it a nice design). Place the tarts on a baking sheet, and poke holes in the top so it does POP open. Brush with beaten egg and water. Brush with beaten egg and water, and sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown. Allow tarts to cool to room temperature before serving. Dust with powdered sugar.
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