Matoke With Beans

Raw green bananas exude a sticky, white latex sap that stains hands and knives. This genius boiling step eliminates the stickiness entirely and makes peeling effortless. Wash the 4 green matoke bananas thoroughly under cold water to remove any dirt. Leave the skins completely on. Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Carefully drop the whole, unpeeled bananas into the water. Boil them for exactly 10 minutes. Remove them from the heat, drain the hot water, and let them cool for a few minutes until you can comfortably handle them. Cut off the top stem and bottom tip of each banana. Using a small paring knife, make a shallow slit lengthwise down the skin. Use your thumbs to easily slide the thick green skin away from the flesh. Cut the peeled bananas into thick, bite-sized rounds.

Heat the 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a medium saucepan or pot over medium heat. Add your chopped onion to the pan. Sauté, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 4 minutes until the onions turn soft and translucent. Stir in the ½ tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp grated ginger, and 2 chopped garlic cloves. Stir-fry continuously for exactly 1 minute to bloom the spices and cook off the raw garlic bite.

Pour the can of chopped tomatoes and the ½ can of drained kidney beans directly into the pan. Pour in the ½ cup of vegetable stock (or water).Season with a dash of salt and the ½ tsp of chili flakes.Give everything a thorough stir, pop the lid onto the pan, and turn the heat down to medium-low. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 10 minutes so the flavors marry together.

Remove the lid and gently drop your prepared matoke banana chunks into the bubbling stew. Stir carefully so you don't break up the tender bananas, ensuring they are completely submerged in the rich tomato broth. Cover the pan again, lower the heat to low, and let it simmer for an additional 5 minutes. The bananas will drink up the spiced sauce and turn completely buttery and soft. Turn off the heat, stir in the ½ cup of freshly chopped coriander, and let it sit for 1 minute before serving.

Matoke with beans is a complete, beautifully balanced plant-based meal all on its own. Scoop generous portions of the thick stew into deep bowls, making sure every serving gets a balance of creamy banana rounds and savory beans. Optional Pairing: While it is perfectly filling by itself, it pairs wonderfully with a side of Kachumbari (a bright East African salad of thinly sliced raw onions, tomatoes, and lime juice) to cut through the rich starchiness of the stew. Enjoy!