Roasted Plantain (Boli)
Roasted plantain is a popular street food in Nigeria, Ghana and many west African countries. While this is a well known street food in Africa, you can also try it at home and in our own kitchen using this easy-to-follow recipe.
Plantain is a beloved food in many west African countries, there are several recipes across different regions of Africa. This particular dish, often mistaken for a mere side dish, transforms into a savory treat when cooked over a burning coal/open flame or in the oven. Whether enjoyed as a snack, appetizer, or accompaniment to a meal, roasted plantain offers a unique blend of crispiness and softness, making it a versatile and satisfying choice for any palate. I personally enjoy its rich, toasty aroma and delightful taste.
Boli abi Bole?
It’s simply a difference in pronunciation or accent among various Nigerian regions.
Roasted plantain is known by different names depending on the region and local language. In Nigeria, particularly among the Yoruba and Igbo people, roasted plantain is commonly referred to as “Boli.” It’s often enjoyed as a snack or even as a complete meal.
There are many ways of roasting plantain. We have the oven roasting method and the traditional method where an open flame, which imparts a smoky flavor that can’t be achieved with oven roasting. This is a very popular sight in west African streets.
This is a simple dish that requires very few ingredients as listed below;
Ingredients for Roasted Plantain
- 3 half-ripe plantain
- 3 ehu (calabash nutmeg)
- 3 medium-sized tomatoes
- 3 medium sized onions
- 200 ml palm oil
- Half a seasoning cube
- Salt to taste
Recipe time: 45 minutes
Serving: 2 Persons.
The picture below is the ‘calabash nutmeg’ that is responsible for the strong scent and delicious aroma emanating from the stew or sauce.
How to Roast Plantain at Home
Step 1
Combine 2 onions, tomatoes and peppers. Blend to paste and transfer to a cooking pot, add 200ml palm oil.
Step 2
Let it boil while you stir every 1 minute, you don’t want it burned.
It should take 15-20 minutes until it is well fried. Slice the remaining onions and add it. Stir, let it fry for another 3 minutes
Step 3
Add half a seasoning cube, ehu, salt to taste, let it simmer on medium heat while you stir occasionally for another 5 minutes.
Step 4
Peel off the back of the plantains and roast using an electric grill. The fish was marinated in a combination of tomato/pepper sauce, salt and a bouillon cube. Then roasted too.
Roasted plantain is a very popular street food in west Africa and it could be made with ripe, half-ripe plantain.
In addition to roasting, plantains can be boiled, fried, or baked. Each method brings out different flavors and textures, making them a versatile ingredient in various cuisines.
Here is my Plantain Porridge Recipe
How to serve
Roasted plantain is paired with roasted peanuts and served as snack on street corners. It can also be served with a tomato-pepper sauce as seen below. Roasted fish, meat is also a welcome addition.
Ripeness and Flavor
The ripeness of the plantain affects its flavor and texture, some ripe plantain are ripened and softer than others. Green plantains are more starchy and have a neutral flavor, making them ideal for dishes like plantain chips and unripe plantain porridge. Ripe plantains are sweeter and softer, making them perfect for roasting.
Healthier Alternative
Roasted plantain is generally considered a healthier cooking method compared to frying. It requires less oil and retains more of the plantain’s natural nutrients.
What Does Roasted Plantain (boli) Give to the Body?
Roasted plantain is not only delicious but also packed with a variety of essential nutrients like vitamins, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, minerals and antioxidants. They provide energy and help in maintaining a healthy digestive system. Roasted plantains offer a delicious blend of flavor and nutrition, reflecting both their rich cultural significance and their adaptability in various culinary traditions.
Plantain vs. Banana
Although plantains and bananas look similar, plantains are typically larger, have thicker skin, and are more starchy. They are used differently in cooking, with plantains being more versatile in savory dishes and bananas being sweeter for dessert, usually eaten and enjoyed with peanuts.
What Class of Food is Roasted Plantain?
Roasted plantain falls into several food classifications:
Snack Food: Often enjoyed on its own or with various dips and sauces, roasted plantain is commonly consumed as a snack.
Side Dish: It can be served as a side dish alongside main courses, particularly in West African, Caribbean, and Latin American cuisines.
Vegetable: Botanically, plantains are classified as a type of fruit, but in culinary terms, they are often treated like vegetables due to their savory flavor when unripe and their versatility in various dishes.
Staple Food: In many cultures, particularly in tropical regions where plantains are widely grown, roasted plantain is a staple food that provides a significant source of carbohydrates and nutrients.
Overall, roasted plantain (boli) is a versatile food that can fit into multiple categories depending on how it is prepared and consumed.
Read more about Other Nigerian foods
Recipe For Roasted Plantain and Boli Sauce - Easy Steps
Equipment
- 1 Oven (Griller) For Grilling plantain
Ingredients
- 3 half-ripe plantain
- 3 ehu calabash nutmeg
- 3 medium-sized tomatoes
- 3 medium sized onions
- 200 ml palm oil
- Half a seasoning cube
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Combine the two onions, peppers and tomatoes. Grind or blend to paste then set aside. In a cooking pot, add 200ml palm oil, add the ground peppers/onion and sauté for the next 15-25 minutes.
- Let it boil while you stir every 1 minute, you don’t want it burned. Slice the remaining onions and add it. Stir, let it fry for another 3 minutes
- Add half a seasoning cube, ground or pounded ehu, salt to taste, let it simmer on medium heat while you stir periodically for another 5 minutes. You are done with the boli sauce.
- To roast the plantain, simply remove the back, soak in salt water for a minute or two and roast using an electric grill. I marinated the fish in the boli sauce, added salt and a bouillon cube. Then roasted same way as the plantain.
2 Responses
I once tried boli and loved it, now I can replicate it in my kitchen. I am also making snacks for the kids and trying my hands on soups.
The ever-popular Boli festival and celebration of yam had brought a series of hype and of course great appetite for consumers of Roasted Plantain. My name is Dicey and I love sweet foods, this is one of them.