Plantain for Baby Led Weaning

If you're cruising right past purées and going to finger foods, or Baby Led Weaning, you're probably looking for different foods to fill your little one's tray with. Plantain is such a great food to start your little one with! Plantains are packed with B vitamins, including B6 and folate, to help babies turn food into energy and grow their cells and tissues. They also contain some vitamin A to strengthen babies’ eyesight, skin, and immune system, and vitamin C to help babies absorb iron and develop a strong immune system. Plus, they are a rich source of fiber that can promote a healthy digestive system by cultivating friendly bacteria in a baby’s gut.

Plantains are not a common choking hazard, but we will add that certain variations could be, such as tostones or plantain chips. Be sure to create a safe eating environment for your little one and familiarize yourself with signs of choking. 

So let's get into it! How do we prepare plantains for Baby Led Weaning?

First, let's talk about how to cook the plantain. Remember, plantains need cooked before eating, unlike a banana. 

Ingredients:

• 1 green plantain
• 4 cups water

Instructions:

1. Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan.
2. Cut off both ends of the plantain.
3. Cut a shallow slit down the length of each ridge of the plantain, making sure not to go too deep. The idea is to cut through the skin but merely touch the inside of the plantain.
4. At the top of the plantain, slide a butter knife down between the flesh and the inside, lifting up slightly. Use your thumb to separate the the skin from the plantain.  
5. Cut the plantain into 4 smaller pieces.
6. Boil for 30 minutes.
7. Remove from water and place on a cutting board. 
8. If you are serving to a six to nine month old, cut the plantain into larger pieces. 
9. If you are serving to a nine to twelve month old, cut plantain into spears.