One of Nigerians’ favourite roadside snacks is the roasted plantain, also known locally as boli. However, you can easily prepare this delicacy, stuffed baked plantains, in the comfort of your home.
If you have ever been frustrated at not being able to meet your boli cravings, these colourful stuffed plantains are a healthier break from the usual fried plantain. Oven-baked plantains, healthier than frying, are slightly crisp outside and meltingly soft interior. They are baked first in an oven or microwave oven and then stuffed with a filling of your choice.
Plantains have the sweetness of a banana when ripe, but can also be starchy like a potato. For this reason, they are well-suited for savoury recipes like this. You can stuff your baked plantains with a number of fillings. We chose stirfry for this recipe, but you can equally stuff them with fillings like minced beef, cheese, guacamole or even beans.
Follow these quick and easy steps to prepare boli at home.
Notes
- Be sure to choose ripe plantains for this recipe. You can also use fairly ripe plantains or overripe plantains, depending on your preference. Overly ripe plantains are overwhelmingly sweet and very mushy.
- You can bake the plantains with the skin on. But the creamy interior in contrast with the caramelised exterior is especially delicious.
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Ingredients
- 2 ripe plantains
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- 2 tbsps canola oil
- Gizzard
- 1/4 red bell pepper
- 1/4 green bell pepper
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 tsp ginger
- 1/2 small onion
- 1/2 scotch bonnet
- 1 small tomato
- 1 seasoning cube
- Spring onions (for garnishing)
- Parsley (for garnishing)
Instructions
- Using a sharp knife cut off both ends off the plantain. This will make it easy to grab the skin of the plantains. Slit a shallow line down the long seam of the plantain. Then remove the plantain peel by pulling back.
- Make a deep cut along the middle of the plantains, then brush them with melted butter.
- Preheat the oven to 400F.
- Line the oven tray with a baking sheet or foil, and coat with cooking spray or oil.
- Place the plantains on the tray and lightly spray. Bake the plantains for about 15 minutes, then turn and bake on the other side for another 15 minutes or until golden brown and tender.
- Dice all the vegetables (onions, peppers, tomatoes, garlic, ginger and so on), and cut the gizzard into small bits.
- Heat two tablespoons of oil in a pan and lightly fry gizzard till half cooked. Then add the veggies and cook until tender.
- Take plantain out of the oven once cooked and stuff with the gizzard.
- Garnish with parsley and spring onions.
- Serve immediately with a side of pepper sauce.
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