Need banana with plantain leaves for cooking
 

Looking for whatever banana/plantain plant they sell the leaves of, frozen, in the grocery store, for wrapping food for steaming or grilling.

Does anyone know which one they use for that, and whether it would grow in coastal Louisiana? If so, where to get a start?

We used to use the leaves of our big clump of 'Orinoco'/ Burro bananas, but moved off and left it. It was a little thinner than the ones sold in the grocery store, anyhow. My beautiful, young clump of 'NamWah' (bought a nice
start from a person I found on this site, and it has done well!) can't spare any leaves...besides, they are thinner than than 'Orinoco', at least at this stage.

Any advice is welcome.

Miriam Davey
Lacombe, LA

Re: Need banana with plantain leaves for cooking
 

Any plant will do.....I my op.
Leaves are a substitute for aluminum foil with flavor in all cultures.
Varigated plants will turn dark just like any other leaves.....so not special unless rewrapped before serving.

Locally in Southwest Ohio folks use what they have in the garden and what is available..

I have colleagues that come to my garden for trim for their cookouts.
Every leaf to spare is swiftly taken up cleaned deveined and refrigerated.

The catch is in the presentation of the dish you are serving.
Seems pork and fish is a favorite protein.


Inexpensive plants like Orinoco will work.

Any plant at a bigbox will work also........they all impart flavor.
Once it is on your plate......

Re: Need banana with plantain leaves for cooking
 

Yes, "any banana" will probably do, as 'Orinoco' surely did, and NamWah likely will once it gets big and robust enough to start giving up a few leaves, but hubby is an amateur chef and is rather particular about his cooking. He would like one with a leaf thick enough to not have to double or triple, and with an unobjectionable flavor. Since we have a good spot for another banana plant, would like to try a plant more suited for this use than others.

So, does anyone know which cv of banana the leaves of which are sold frozen in the grocery stores? The package merely says "Plantain Leaves", a description which is not very helpful.

Thanks!

Miriam Davey
Lacombe, LA

Re: Need banana with plantain leaves for cooking
 

Here is a forum member connection for the real deal leaf.
You will be steaming in no time
He also has other varieties.

https://www.bananatreesforsale.com/p...-red-plantain/