Plantains, aka banana plantains, are starchy vegetables resembling bananas but with a definite different taste and usage. They originate in tropical regions (wikipedia says likely native to India and Southern Asia and likely exported to Africa and the Caribbean by the Portuguese). In Africa and the Caribbean, they are consumed unripe (or green) or ripe (or yellow) and is one of the most popular, easily exported starchy tastes in Africa and the Caribbean. They can be fried, boiled, steamed, grilled, and more and the followinng recipes will show you many ways of uncovering and discovering your plantain. :)