Thursday, September 14, 2006

Photography: Plantain Lady

My wife often laments about not knowing how to pick the perfect plantain. She didn't grow up on plantains in her native South Africa so they are new to her in terms of cooking them. She knows that I like them so she likes to make them for me now and then. This picture was taken of her about 2 weeks ago when she had just finished cutting up an entire plate ready to drop. They were so delicious looking that I had to capture that moment on my camera. Thank you, love. They tasted so good!
By the way, I'll be away from blogger for a couple of days so...until next week. Meanwhile, I'll be searching for interesting facts about history, art and culture that I can share with you all. Peace~

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow!! This is a gorgeous photo!

It looks like something that should be published in a magainze or something.

I've tried plantains before. My God mother, who is from Sierra Leone, prepared this delicious Kenyan dish that had plantains in it. I tried the plantains and I didn't really care for the taste. Everything else was good though!

Maybe it was the way she prepared them.

Stephen A. Bess said...

ub-
That's funny! She was from Sierra Leone, but she was making a Kenyan dish. :) I like that. Food from Sierra Leone is so spicy! We have friends from there and I always have to keep a cup of water close by when I eat at their house. It's so good though.

Anonymous said...

Stephen-
Yes!!! I love my God mother! I learn so much from her and she is a connoisseur of the world! Definitely a phenomenal woman and one of the BEST cooks I've encountered in my life.

I'm very familiar with Sierra Leonean food and culture, seeing as how my best friend, and two of my ex-boyfriends are from Sierra Leone. I LOVE their food (well, most of it). And yes, I love how its so spicy because I LOVE spicy food! I can eat spicy food all day everyday. But it seems like the more spicy food I eat, the more my "system" is rebelling against it. I have to eat spicy food in moderation now because it tears my insides up sometimes.

Another country that has delicious spicy food- India!! I LOVE Indian food!! =)

Stephen A. Bess said...

ub-
Yeah, that's gudu! Yeah, I have a Sierra Leone story about food too. Let's just say that I shouldn't have drank the ginger beer with it. :)

I love Indian also. As a matter of fact, South African cuisine is heavily influenced by India. We eat a lot of archar and curry in our house.

Sumeeta said...

Stephen,

Those plantains look awfully tasty! You're a wonderful photographer. I love the way you capture images through light and composition.

Stephen spoke to one of my classes today. It was truly a bougie moment, which I posted about.

I hope that you enjoy your time off. See you next week.

Uaridi said...

Hi bro, sinceI been rather lazy about blogging, forgive me if I commment about previous posts as well as this one:
1. How does the USA judge race? I can't believe N. Africans are considered white (a friend heard a white woman call a Japanese lady a b***** n****) so it must be subjective.

2. I love the pictures of DC. What did you do to get the pink in the sky?

3. I am ashamed to say that I have never read Steve Biko's book, I still cannot bring myself to watch the movie (cry baby)
I hope your brother had fun on open mike and has a safe trip back to Atlanta. Finally, I understand sis's problem. I too did not grow up with plantains. I am learning how to cook them now. The children love them so much, and they are such hard work.

I hope you have a lovely time and I apologise for writing a whole post

Professor Zero said...

...another great photo... have fun on your travels!

the prisoner's wife said...

for some reason i don't like plantains. beloved (of course) loves them, so if we are at a jamaican place i always give mine to him.

your pictures are getting soooooooooooo dope bless. good job

Anonymous said...

Check out my blog- Butterfly's Lair- when you get a chance!

Cergie said...

So... You are growing plaintain in your country !
This is a vegetable at the difference of bananas !
I was living in Ivory Coast in my childhood, here in France only African persons cook plantain.

A man, who has a black skin even wrote a book: "je suis noir, mais je n'aime pas le manioc" (I am black but I don't like manioc" because he was born in France, and people seing him always are believing he has the customs and way of life of an African native.

Cergie said...

I've forgotten: have a good vacation, Stephen and read you soon !

Shaggy said...

Peace be with you brother, take some plantains with you. Maybe even bite on some as your skins go down to the Cowboys on Sunday...

Be safe playa..

Geoffrey Philp said...

Stephen, don't do things like that! My mouth was watering. I love fried plantains, green or ripe.
Enjoy your weekend!

Peace,
Geoffrey

Rose said...

Great picture and you are right the plantains looks great. Very tasty too.

neena maiya (guyana gyal) said...

Ever had thin, crispy fried plantain? Crunchy an' better dan any ol' potato chip.

Oh man, I need to update my links, add you and Essequibo.

black feline said...

coat it with a smooth batter (flour, salt, eggs)...fry it..eat with maple syrup...heavenly with a cup of black coffee..no sugar...delicious!

Dance_Soul said...

Mmm, You always post about my favorite subject - GOOD EATS.
I am soooo glad that you have some vacation time. Take care of yourself and have fun.

Friday Dialogue said...

I'm leaving for Cape Town tomorrow for a week. Got any suggestions for me, Dr. Bess?

Holla back!

Unknown said...

I have never had plantain. I know that they look like bananas but what do they taste like. I haven't seen any in quite some times now, but I would think that they are sold somewhere here in St. Louis. I will keep an eye out for them and give them a try.

Bougie Black Boy said...

since i moved to nyc, i've been so addicted to plaintain! love the picture...

Stephen A. Bess said...

sumeeta-
Thanks for the compliment. I know that Bougie Stephen definitely did his thing. I wish I was there to witness it.

uaridi-
lol Hey sis! Thanks for covering everything. A good comment is never too long. :) It's never too late for Biko. Check it out. I had a lovely time this weekend. I traveled to the Carolinas. My brother is still traveling so I pray with you for his safe journey. Peace

profzero-
Thanks and hello.

pwife-
Thanks for your kind, sweet words. By the way, you're missed in blogland. Take care.

broj-
Haa haa! I won't even mention the game. Peace~

cergie-
Thanks! They don't grow them here in the US. They are imported from other places. I think the Caribbean. The book sounds cool and interesting.

geoffrey-
Haa haa! Did this make you go out and pick some up? I had a great weekend. Thanks! :)

rose-
Thanks and yes they were. :)

guyana-
I have had the chips and I like them. By the way, I've added you to my link also. Love your stories!

blkfeline-
I'm diggin' that recipe! I'll tell my wife about it or just cook it myself. Thanks!

dance-
You know I love to tease your belly. :)I had a good time in Carolina. Thanks.

max-
yes, take me!

david-
maybe you should try black feline's recipe above. It sounds good!

bougie-
Thanks Stephen

Michelle said...

thanks for making me hungry! I have an Internet Radio interview Tuesday (9/19)at 9 am your time. Check me out if you can at www.voiceamerica.com -- hit first icon top, left.

Hope all is well! =)

Jenell : BlakIzBeautyful said...

Where my parents are from, Liberia, Africa, they ate plantains all the times. So I inherited the love for them.

We eat plantain as a snack food. sliced and fried. You can add pepper to enhance the taste.

Stephen A. Bess said...

michelle-
I wasn't able to check that out because I'm at my desk. Boss would trip. :)

jb-
Long time, long time! It's good to see you around these parts. I've never tried plantains sprinkled with pepper. I'll have to taste.

NML/Natalie said...

I *love* plaintain! Yum, yum, yum. I have no idea how to cook it properly though.... I like them best when they have cooled down and hardened a bit.

Stephen A. Bess said...

nml-
I love them too. Delicious! The recipe that black feline mentioned sounds good. :)

Reflex said...

Great angle of your photo! In Ecuador we also eat plantains, cooked in different ways, and there are lots of varieties, taste good :)

Stephen A. Bess said...

reflex-
Welcome! I first tasted plantains at a Latino restaurant in the Adams Morgan section of town. I've been hooked ever since. Thanks!

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