Plantain leaf

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For the small herb, see plantago.

Plantain leaves are the leaves of the plantain tree. They are used as a traditional wrapping material for dishes such as Venezuelan hallacas and other Latin American dishes. They add a subtle but essential aroma to the dish. The leaves are fairly widely available in grocery stores or open air markets in Venezuela and can exceed two meters in length.

[edit] Comparison to banana leaves

Plantain leaves are similar to banana leaves but are larger and stronger, therefore reducing waste. They are lightly smoked over an open fire and this adds to their toughness, their storage properties and the flavour they give. With plantain leaves there is a lot less disposal (pieces too small to use) than with banana leaves, which makes them a better choice.

[edit] Preparation

The leaves must be washed before use. Diluted vinegar applied with a cloth (rubbing with the grain to avoid breaking the leaf) followed by a clean water rinse is generally all that is needed.

Source: [1]