Meatless Friday: Matoke with Beans

Our friends at Catholic Relief Services share a Meatless Friday recipe for a popular dish in Uganda. Download our printable recipe card!

Matoke With Beans is a popular dish in East African cuisine, particularly in Uganda. It combines two staple ingredients: matoke—a type of banana—and beans, typically kidney beans or black-eyed peas. The dish is hearty, nutritious, and often enjoyed as a main course.

To learn more about Lenten almsgiving, visit CRSRiceBowl.org.

Matoke with Beans

Start to finish: 45 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

2 tablespoons oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated
1/2 teaspoon cumin
4 green plantains or bananas, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
15-ounce can diced tomatoes
15-ounce can kidney beans, drained
1/2 cup vegetable stock
1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
Salt to taste
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped, for garnish

Directions

In a pot over medium heat, heat the oil and sauté the onion until it is translucent and soft, about 2 minutes. Add garlic, ginger and cumin. Stir for a minute or two until spices are fragrant. Add the bananas, diced tomatoes, kidney beans, vegetable stock and chili flakes. Salt to taste.

Cover the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for 25-30 minutes, or until the bananas are tender.

Garnish with cilantro and serve immediately.