Bananas are part of the banana family and look similar in appearance, but compared to bananas, plantains are more starchy and lower in sugar. Banana horns can be used in many recipes or eaten straight. Bananas take longer to ripen than other fruits and it is hard to find ripe bananas in supermarkets. Leave the plantains to ripen or speed up the process by ripening them in a paper bag.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Ripening Banana Horns Naturally
Step 1. Choose a suitable environment for ripening bananas
You can ripen plantains in the kitchen. However, make sure you choose the right place to ripen the fruit.
- Banana horns ripen well in a warm, well-ventilated place. If your kitchen is very cold or stuffy, try finding another room to cook it.
- Banana horns can ripen in a cooler place, it just takes longer.
Step 2. Place the plantain in a place that is free from distractions
Banana horns will ripen faster if they are far from being disturbed. Keep the bananas out of the reach of children and pets. Banana horns should not be touched while in the ripening process. Bananas are usually not sold ripe when in the store and need time to ripen on their own. Leave the bananas in a place away from disturbances until they are quite ripe.
Step 3. Allow enough time
Banana horns need 7 to 11 days to ripen. In a warm place, plantains will ripen more quickly. Ripe horn bananas are a sign if the skin is black and wrinkled, and soft to the touch. When it is ripe, the plantain is not hard when pierced with a finger.
Method 2 of 3: Ripening Banana Horns in a Paper Bag
Step 1. Store the plantains in a paper bag
If you want the bananas to ripen quickly, store them in a paper bag. Put the plantains in a paper bag. Do not close the bag tightly, close it loosely.
Step 2. Place the plantains in the kitchen
Place it in a place away from distractions until the banana is ripe. Keep the bananas out of the reach of pets and children.
Remember, a warm, well-ventilated area is the best place to ripen plantains
Step 3. Check the bananas after two weeks
Banana horns usually take about two weeks to ripen. However, the bananas will ripen faster if they are put in a paper bag. Check the bananas frequently over a two-week period and remove them from the paper bag once they are ripe.
Remember, ripe plantains have black skin and are wrinkled and soft to the touch
Method 3 of 3: Avoid Common Mistakes
Step 1. Know when the plantain is ripe
Many people think ripe bananas are the same as regular bananas. Despite their similar fruit shape, bananas look very different from regular bananas when ripe. You can fry or roast the bananas before they are fully ripe, but if you want to eat them straight away, it is best to wait until they are fully ripe.
- Horn bananas are usually black when ripe with yellow streaks.
- Bananas with completely black skin are still edible, but may be a bit overripe.
Step 2. Do not put the plantains in the refrigerator
Banana horns should be placed outside the refrigerator, especially if they are not ripe. Do not place the bananas in the refrigerator until they are at your desired level of ripeness.
Tips
- When shopping at local markets that offer discounts on overripe produce, look for bananas there. Some traders do not understand the ripening process of bananas, and sometimes sell unripe bananas at discounted prices, or cannot distinguish them from regular bananas.
- If you like the starchy taste of the bananas, fry or boil them when they are not ripe and green. Banana horns that are still green will still taste very starchy like potatoes.
