PLANTAIN

a fruit of the same family as the Banana, but larger in size, flatter in shape and coarser and less agreeable in flavor when raw, which serves as a valuable food staple in various tropical countries, to a considerable extent taking the place of the grains, root vegetables, etc., of other latitudes. It is generally cut while still green and firm, and roasted or baked, resembling then the potato in texture and being decidedly pleasing to the palate. It is also dried and ground into a flour which is both convenient and nutritious.