A simple step by step tutorial guide on how to boil and peel green bananas with ease so that they are readily available to eat or use in a recipe.
I know so many people don't know how to successfully boil green banana and remove the peel.
I wholeheartedly agreed that the skin of a green banana (cooking banana) is quite thick and cumbersome to peel and boil.
However, you can remove the skin in a number of different ways. I'm going to show you the quickest way to do so.
Some people prefer to peel off the skin in the uncooked form and then cook the bananas, while others prefer to release the skin by cooking the bananas first.
I've tried both methods and use either method depending on the recipe. Ultimately, most people find it much easier to boil the bananas in their skin and then take it off.
To some people this is frowned upon because it is seen as a lazy way of cooking. I dont really care for whether it is seen as lazy, I just want to show you a method that is easier for you.
Fear not, those of you who are perplexed by this starchy fruit, I'm going to reveal a simple way of how to boil a green banana while removing the skin at the same time.
I promise you that this won't be difficult and the clean up is minimal, so let's get cracking.
For Jamaicans Green Banana plays a crucial role in their diet, so much that you can even make Green Banana Porridge or Banana Mash with it.
You will need;
- Some green bananas
- A large saucepan of pre boiled water under low heat
- A sharp knife
- Chopping board
- Serving dish
How to boil green banana using steps
The first thing you need to do is wash the bananas and drain off the excess water.
Once you have done that place the green bananas on the chopping board and position the green banana on its side.
Start to cut both ends of the bananas, you can remove it in its entirety but I prefer to partially cut both ends, as it comes in handy when taking off the skin.
Next, from the top of the fruit, lightly score along the skin towards the end tip. Don't drive the knife too deep into the flesh as this will come off with the external part, simply make the incision with the tip of the knife.
Carefully add the bananas to the saucepan of boiling water and leave to simmer under low heat for roughly 20 minutes or until tender.
While the green bananas are cooking, you will notice that the peel becomes progressively darker.
This is perfectly normal and simply part of the cooking process. After approximately 20 minutes, the bananas should be soft, you can determine whether they are cooked by pricking it with a fork.
Once the bananas are completely cooked, remove the saucepan from the cooker and set aside until the water is cool and drain.
Remove the green bananas from the cool water and begin to take off the peel. Don't worry at this point the peel should come off with ease.
So there you have it folks, a quick and simple method of how to remove the skin of a green banana
Serving suggestions
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How to Boil Green Banana
Ingredients
- A bunch of green bananas or the amount required
- Large saucepan with water
Instructions
- Bring the pot with water to the boil then reduce to medium heat.
- Place the green banana on a chopping board on its side.
- Partially cut the top and end of the banana (not completely off) then score the banana length ways (shallow not deep) so it meets the top and end.
- Repeat the above step with each banana
- Carefully add the bananas to the pot of boiling water and cook until tender (this will take about 15- 20 minutes) (prick with a fork to determine its readiness.)
- Once cooked allow the water to cool then drain
- Use the top of the banana to remove the peel of each banana, it should come off very easy
- Serve accordingly
Buddy 73 yr old
I grew up eating boiled green bananas, fried green bananas, fried plantains, and baked plantains with my grandmother from Roatan. We ate our bananas with roast that fell apart after a full day's cooking. Usually, red beans too. Peeled the bananas before cooking Best dinner ever. Company was great too. Thanks for recipe and thoughts.
Charla
Thank you for sharing. Those are some beautiful memories and you are more than welcome.
Marianna
After boiling can I fry them or roast in the oven like I would regular potatoes?
Charla
It maybe possible but it's not something I have ever tried as I typically serve the banana as a side dish.
Sheril
My green bananas are still hard after boiling them. What am I doing wrong?
Charla
Hi Sheril. You aren't doing anything wrong, my good guess is that the green bananas are very old. If that is the case, no matter what you do to them they won't soften.
Sarah
Green boiled bananas are my staple. Though we can boil them the way you do for a side dish, weprepare them a little differently as main dish, which they usually are. We peel off the skin, strip by strip, then boil them until they are soft enough to mash
For special occasions, we steam them in banana leaves, which infuse an especially delicious aroma. The soft bananas are mashed and served, or mashed and put back on low heat in their leaves, to be served later. The longer they stay, the better the taste. Served with any stew.
Charla
That sounds delicious Sarah I would love to try your method.
Inga
I think I may have ruined my pot. Banana gum is sticking to my sauce pan. How can I get it off?
Charla
Try an oily substance like olive oil that should shift it or rub some diluted vinegar on it.
Kevin
Thanks for the tip. Ive made a big mess before and lost alot of the meat of the banana trying other methods.
Charla
You are welcome! No more messy bananas now 😉
KayL
This method works every time.
Charla
I'm so glad to hear that! Thank you.
jeff
Thanks for your post. I moved to Puerto Rico, where green bananas are the potatoes of the states. No more gloves and the big mess. Thanks
Charla
Yes, you'll find green bananas in abundance in the Caribbean. Once you know how to peel them you can make good use of them too.
Gret
Thanks for posting. I have looked for a "sensible" way to prepare green bananas. Your method seems to be the best of all that I have seen. I decided there has to be a better way after preparing the tradition way (cut , score, peel, peel, peel, ....scrap...scrap... scrap) I will try your way the next time I prepare them.
My your willingness to share be returned to you by 1000% percent in not only words, but deeds & $$.
Charla
I used to have a love and hate relationship with green bananas growing up until I heeded the advice of my grandmother. I'm glad I could be of assistance to you, and if you need anymore help, just drop by.
Nakia
Hi Charla,
My sisters and I cook this for our grandmother often but at 93 she doesn’t eat much in one sitting. She likes to eat smaller meals every 2 hours. What is the best way to reheat this dish to preserve texture and taste?
Charla
Hi Nakia,
The best thing to do would be to cook the green banana (make sure it's not overcooked, very important). Once the banana is cooked, you will want to remove them immediately from the hot water to prevent further cooking. Don't peel off the skin (assuming it's still intact).
Set the banana aside (you can just leave it in a dish, covered on the countertop. When it's time to re-heat bring some water to the boil then add the banana and heat through (it should take around a minute or so) then peel and serve accordingly.
I hope that helps!!