Shelf Life Tips
- How long do plantains last? The precise answer to that question depends to a large extent on storage conditions - after purchasing, keep plantains in a dry area.
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Properly stored, plantains will become fully ripe in about 3 to 5 days at normal room temperature.
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How can you make plantains ripen faster? To hasten ripening, put plantains in a brown paper bag, close it and leave on the counter.
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Do not refrigerate plantains until they are fully ripe - allowing to ripen at room temperature will result in more flavorful plantains.
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To extend the shelf life of fully ripe plantains, place in a plastic bag and refrigerate.
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How long do plantains last in the refrigerator? Fully ripe plantains will last for about 5 to 7 days in the fridge.
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Can you freeze raw plantains? Yes, to freeze plantains: (1) Peel and mash; (2) Add one tablespoon of lemon juice or 1/2 teaspoon ascorbic acid for each cup of mashed plantain to prevent browning; (3) Place in covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.
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How long do plantains last in the freezer? Properly stored, they will maintain best quality for about 10 to 12 months, but will remain safe beyond that time.
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The freezer time shown is for best quality only - plantains that have been kept constantly frozen at 0°F will keep safe indefinitely.
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How to tell if plantains are bad or spoiled? Plantains that are spoiling will typically become very soft, develop dark spots and start to ooze; discard any plantains if mold appears or if the plantains have an off smell or appearance.
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Sources: For details about data sources used for food storage information, please click here
