Plantain - where to get the best in ED/Peckham?

[matnurse1983]

We are looking for some plantain for our new year meal but won't be back in London until Tuesday.

Any suggestions?

Our shop on Forest Hill Road used to sell them but they were not in stock last week.

We're looking for good quality (not mouldy) and fat plantains :)

Thanks,

D

[Mustard]

I think SMBS sell them, but they will probably be expensive.

[matnurse1983]

Thanks Mustard,

We are going to William Rose and the Horniman on Wednesday so SMBS is a good shout.

:)

[whirly]

Rye Lane - there are loads!

[matnurse1983]

Hi whirly,

Where on Rye Lane would you recommend? There are so many shops there I am dubious of the quality.

I know that ripe plantain goes black but some of the places I've been past - their stock looks right rough... :s

[KidKruger]

Choumert Rd off Rye Lane.

Darker / softer they are, the sweeter / better they fry (for my taste).

'SMBS' lol.

[matnurse1983]

Thanks for the shout KidKruger.

Will take a look down there. Which specific shop would you recommend?

Yep, I'm looking for ripe ones as we'll be using them the next day and haven't got a week to wait for them to ripen.

D

[matnurse1983]

Nothing wrong with SMBS although yes probably expensive.

[KidKruger]

The stalls just by the butcher on the corner of Choumert / Rye Lane, or the shops leading up to them.

Personally I go when the stalls on Choumert are shut and pick up the mouldy blackened ones from the street, but I like 'em well gone / can't get there earlier due to work etc.

Else try Rye Lane anywhere.

[Dulwich Born And Bred]

On lordship Lane near the Plough end , go to Val's ( Next door to Sunny's red Apple newsagent ) they have plantains , yams and so on.

[matnurse1983]

Thanks DB&B

We'll check out Val's

:)

[Dopamine1979]

Just out of interest how are you planning to cook them? I find the over-ripe ones are nicer for frying.

[matnurse1983]

Hi Dopamine1979

We are going to fry them with a little polenta dusting to make them extra crispy :)

[matnurse1983]

Update!

I ended up buying them from the man on the corner of the peckham rye entrance.

I had a look at other stalls too.

They were very sweet but also very bruised :(

My local, Forest Hill Supermarket, has started stocking them again and I'm very pleased with the quality. :)

[KidKruger]

I'm not sure if that's really brusing, possibly just the natural darkening as they ripen ?

Darker is sweeter - great for frying.

[matnurse1983]

Thanks for the info KK but they were definitely bruised. The flesh under the skin was bruised and discoloured. Not great for eating - unless you like mushed up banana...