Matooke (Ugandan Steamed Green Banana Mash)
In short: Peeled green cooking bananas steamed in banana leaves until soft, then mashed into a smooth, pale mound. Uganda's staple, served with a sauce. It takes about 1 h 35 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 1 h 10 min
- Total
- 1 h 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 250 kcal
Matooke is the centerpiece of the Ugandan table, especially in the south and center of the country. Green cooking bananas are peeled, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed in a pot until soft and pale yellow, then mashed by hand through the leaves into a smooth mound. Matooke tastes mild and slightly sweet, so it is always eaten with a flavorful sauce such as groundnut sauce, beans, stewed beef or fish. Green plantains make a good substitute outside East Africa.
Instructions
- Rub a little oil on your hands and knife, since green banana sap stains skin and clothes. Cut off both ends of each banana, slit the skin lengthwise and peel it away. Drop the peeled bananas into a bowl of cold water as you go.
- Wilt the banana leaves by passing them over a gas flame or dipping them in boiling water for a few seconds, until soft and glossy. Cut out the hard center ribs and lay 2 or 3 leaves in a crisscross on the counter.
- Drain the bananas and pile them in the center of the leaves. Fold the leaves up and over to form a tight bundle and tie it securely with string or strips of leaf.
- Line the base of a large heavy pot with leaf trimmings and add the water. Set the bundle on top, cover tightly and steam over medium-low heat for 60 to 75 minutes, adding a little hot water if the pot dries out, until a knife slides in easily.
- Lift out the bundle. While the bananas are still hot, press and knead them through the leaves with your hands, or unwrap them into a bowl and mash with a wooden spoon, until completely smooth.
- Shape into a mound, wrap loosely in fresh leaves to keep warm and serve with a sauce.
Tips
- No banana leaves? Wrap the bananas in two layers of parchment and one layer of foil. The flavor is milder but the texture is the same.
- Mash the matooke while it is very hot, because it stiffens and turns sticky as it cools. Keep it wrapped and warm until you serve.
Questions and answers
Can I use plantains instead of matooke?
Yes. Use firm green plantains and steam them about 15 minutes longer. The texture is a little denser and the taste slightly sweeter.
What do you eat with matooke?
Groundnut sauce, bean stew, stewed beef, chicken luwombo or fried fish. Greens and a tomato salad complete the plate.
How do I reheat leftover matooke?
Wrap it in foil or leaves with a splash of water and steam it again for 15 minutes. Microwaving also works, though the surface can dry out.
How long does it take to make Matooke (Ugandan Steamed Green Banana Mash)?
About 1 h 35 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 1 h 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Matooke (Ugandan Steamed Green Banana Mash)?
About 250 kcal per serving, with 3 g of protein, 62 g of carbohydrates and 1 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 250 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 3 g |
| Carbohydrates | 62 g |
| Fat | 1 g |
| Fiber | 5 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 10 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
