UGANDA · OBOM’S KITCHEN
Matooke
Steamed green highland bananas, mashed into a soft golden mound. A staple of Ugandan celebration meals.
The Story
Matooke is an East African Highland cooking banana, grown for over a thousand years across the Great Lakes region. It is especially tied to central, western and eastern Uganda, among communities such as the Baganda, Basoga, Banyankole and Batooro.
Traditionally, the green bananas are wrapped in fresh banana leaves and steamed, then mashed while hot into a soft golden mound. In Ugandan food culture, a special occasion is defined by variety and abundance, so at weddings, introduction ceremonies and Sunday family feasts, matooke sits alongside other starches, a stew and a rich sauce. It stands for home, generosity and welcoming guests.
Ingredients
- Green cooking bananas (matooke), peeled
- Fresh banana leaves, for wrapping and steaming
- Water, for steaming
Method
1. Peel the green cooking bananas.
2. Wrap them in fresh banana leaves and place on a banana stalk trivet over water.
3. Steam until tender.
4. Mash into a smooth, golden mound and keep warm.
Cook’s note
Cooking outside Uganda? Frozen matooke or green plantains, steamed in foil or parchment paper, work well when fresh banana leaves aren’t available.
Nutrition notes
A source of potassium, fibre and complex starches. Full nutrition values to follow.