Plantain Bananas are a starchy, less sweet variety of banana widely used in cooking across tropical regions. Larger and firmer than dessert bananas, they are typically cooked before eating—either fried, boiled, baked, or grilled. When ripe, plantains develop a mild sweetness, while green ones have a savory, potato-like flavor. Nutritious and versatile, they’re a staple ingredient in many traditional dishes.