East African Matoke / Igitoke
This simple hearty stewed green banana one pot dish is exactly the kind of meal this is needed today. Few ingredients, hearty and hits the spot every single time. I discovered this dish during my days in boarding school and have not looked back since. It’s actually quite similar to another dish we eat in Cameroon called Sese Plantains. I have to remember to share that recipe soon.
Matoke is essentially a green banana. Not to be confused with the yellow banana we eat as a fruit. As far as I know this banana cannot be eaten raw. Its very popular in Uganda when it is steamed and mashed into a meal. But is also eaten throughout East Africa in countries like Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. In the title of this blog post I refer to it as “igitoke” to maintain my marriage. You see I am married to an East African from Burundi and that is how it is called there :)
Watch this instagram reel to see me making matoke
Matoke/Igitoke recipe
Ingredients:
- 5-6 green bananas
- 2 tablespoon avocado oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon coriander powder
- ½ tablespoon garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon ginger paste
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 tomatoes, diced
- 1 teaspoon of salt or to taste
- 1.5-2cups water/vegetable stock
Instructions:
PEEL, chop and soak plantains to prevent from oxidizing.
HEAT avocado oil. Add onion cook till translucent then add all dry spices and bay leaves
ADD tomato paste and chopped tomatoes. Cooked till tomatoes lose their tartness and become sweet. May take 5-8mins. Add 1/4cup water at a time as needed to prevent tomatoes from drying out or burning. Add salt to taste
DRAIN and add green bananas. Add water or stock if using. Cook 20mins till green bananas for soft and cooked through
GARNISH with chopped cilantro or parsley and enjoy.
Serve with meat ( I like goat meat or lamb) and some kachumbari (Kenya’s onion, cucumber, tomato salad).
