Matoke is a dish made from plantains, a type of green banana found in East Africa, and is a staple food in Uganda. The dish includes plantains, tomatoes, lemon juice, peppers, and spices, and can also include meat and peanuts. It is often garnished with cilantro.
Also called matooke, matoke is the name given to plantains, a type of green banana, in parts of East Africa, especially Uganda. Matoke are a staple food, as well as a staple food, in East Africa. The term also refers to a dish made from these plantains. In fact, the stew-like dish is a national dish of Uganda.
Although the fruit itself has the same yellowish color as a banana, the skin of the plantain can be green or even black. Unlike bananas, plantains should be cooked before eating. In Africa, the fruit is often steamed in its leaves and can also be included in a variety of dishes, much like potatoes in European and American countries. Plantains can be found in the produce section of grocery stores in many countries.
The Matoke dish is made with plantains, tomatoes, lemon juice, and peppers. Hot peppers may also be included. Onions, garlic and sometimes fresh ginger root and mustard seeds are also often used.
Spices such as coriander, cumin, cayenne pepper and turmeric are usually added to flavor the dish. Most versions also use roasted peanuts and salt. Meat, typically stew or ground beef, may or may not be added along with beef broth.
To make matoke, plantains are always peeled and cut into thick slices or cubes. Once cubed, lemon juice is usually drizzled over the top and the plantains set aside. Then, the vegetables and herbs are fried in oil before spices are added and left to cook.
If meat and broth are used, they are added after the spices have been combined. The mixture is then boiled and allowed to simmer. Once the heat is reduced, the plantains are included. Matoke that uses meat requires longer cooking times than those that don’t. This is to ensure that the meat is thoroughly cooked.
Versions that use mustard seeds and cumin place the seeds in the oil at the beginning of the cooking process. Seeds may pop before other ingredients are included. Peanuts must be roasted and ground before using in matoke. They are added at the end of the cooking process, after the plantains.
If no beef broth is used, the water is added after the peanuts have been included. The mixture may cook for a few minutes before completion. Once completed, matoke is often garnished with chopped cilantro.
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