Plantains can be a good addition to your toddler’s diet. These fruits are members of the banana family, but have a thicker skin and starchier consistency. You can cook plantains in a variety of ways to please your toddler’s tastes -- enjoy them boiled, fried, sautéed or baked.
About Plantains
While plantains may seem exotic, they have long been part of the cuisine of tropical countries. Green plantains have a squash-like flavor and you can fry or boil them as you would a potato. Yellower varieties indicate a greater sugar concentration, which means the fruit is sweeter and may be more to your toddler’s liking. Yellower fruits make delicious fritters and can be included in stews. Black plantains are the ripest and sweetest. Your toddler might like to eat these raw and mashed, or as part of a naturally-sweet dessert treat.
Baking
You can bake plantains peeled or in the skin. Simply preheat the oven to about 350 degrees Fahrenheit and roast the fruit for 30 to 40 minutes, until tender. Chop into chunks for your child to enjoy – just make sure it has cooled completely. Season green baked plantains with a little salt and pepper. Bring out the sweetness of yellow or black baked plantains with cinnamon or allspice.
Saute
For a quicker snack, you can sauté chunks of peeled plantains in a skillet coated with a teaspoon or two of olive oil. Cook them just 10 to 15 minutes, until the edges are browned and the fruit is softened. Your toddler might enjoy sautéed plantains from a green fruit with a spritz of lime juice. Sweeter sautéed plantains could be topped with vanilla yogurt for a dessert-like treat.
Considerations
Your 2- to 3-year-old toddler should eat at least 1 cup of fruit daily. Plantains count toward this fruit allotment, providing fiber and potassium. Although your toddler might enjoy fried plantain chips, keep in mind that they may break off into sharp pieces that could cause choking. Also, deep frying plantains is not the healthiest preparation. Avoid the temptation to add sugar to green or yellow plantains to encourage your child to eat them. Instead of cooking them alone, you might add baked plantain chunks to a mildly flavored meat or bean stew to add texture, flavor and extra nutrition.
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