Matoke, matooke or green bananas. Bananas people, not plantains. Yes, there is a difference. Here is a good explanation. Matoke aka green bananas are a popular dish in East Africa and each region has their own special way of making them. Here in Uganda, tooke is mostly steamed in banana leaves and served in groundnut sauce, with vegetables or meat. Or as a breakfast dish called “katogo” which is stewed bananas with vegetables or offal. Very yummy. In Tanzania, it is made into a porridge for breastfeeding mums and even as a beer in some parts of the country. In Kenya, it is mostly stewed with potatoes, vegetables and beef or goat meat.

I have fond memories of my mother making Kenyan style matoke as a weekday meal. Think we had it on Tuesdays or Thursdays, can’t remember clearly. LOL

This is my attempt at making it and though I cannot replicate her recipe, I can perfect my own right? Let’s get started.

List of ingredients

1. 250 g beef, chopped and boiled, set aside with its broth.
2. Green bananas about 16 small pieces.
3. 1kg Irish potatoes (optional)
4. I green capsicum (pilipili hoho)
5. I tbsp tomato paste
6. Two large tomatoes
7. 3 onions
8. 1 bunch coriander
9. 1 medium courgette
10. Four cloves garlic
11. Thumb sized piece of fresh ginger
12. Ground spices ; turmeric, ground cumin powder
13. Cooking oil
14. salt and pepper to taste

The method.

Green bananas are not the easiest to peel, as they leave a slimy, sticky residue on your hands and your knife. You can wear gloves if you want, or apply some vaseline on your palms before peeling them. Or peel them under running water.

A lot of people add the potatoes and bananas together. I did not as the potatoes take longer to cook and I do not want the bananas to get mushy.

You do not have to add meat or even boil the beef, you can fry it directly and use other spices. You can even use peanut butter, coconut milk, whatever you fancy when making this dish YOUR way.

Comfort food at it’s best! Try it and enjoy!