Sese Plantains Recipe: How to Make Cameroonian Turning Plantains

Summary
Sese Plantains, also called Turning Plantains or unripe plantain porridge, is a beloved one‐pot Cameroonian meal where green plantains are cooked with red palm oil, dried fish or meat, crayfish, spices, and leafy greens to yield a hearty, smoky stew Precious Core. The key steps are: roasting and grinding crayfish (if using), sautéing aromatics in palm oil, adding chopped unripe plantains and broth, then simmering until the plantains “turn” tender while stirring continuously to prevent sticking (hence “Turning Plantains”) Immaculate Bites. Variations include goat or beef instead of fish, baby spinach in place of bitterleaf, and using peanut or cassava flour as thickener for more body Precious CoreCooking With Claudy. This dish pairs perfectly with fufu, rice, or plantain fufu for a filling, culturally authentic West African experience Food.com.

What Are Sese Plantains?

Sese Plantains (locally “Turning Plantains” or “Porridge Plantains”) are an everyday Cameroonian one‐pot meal featuring unripe (green) plantains cooked in palm oil, broth, and spices, often enriched with dried fish or meat and leafy greens Precious Core. The term “sese” references the constant stirring (“turning”) necessary to prevent the plantains from sticking and to achieve the desired creamy‐porridge consistency Cooking With Claudy.

Essential Ingredients

Plantains & Proteins

• Green Plantains: 4–6 large, unripe (firm and free of yellow spots) Immaculate Bites
• Protein: 1 lb smoked dried fish (e.g., mackerel) or goat/beef chunks Precious Core

Flavor Enhancers

• Red Palm Oil: ½–1 cup for authentic color and taste Precious Core
• Crayfish (Dried Shrimp): ½ cup, ground; adds umami depth Precious Core
• Onion: 1 medium, finely chopped Immaculate Bites
• Garlic & Ginger: 4 cloves garlic, 1″ ginger piece, minced La Vie Bami – Food Blog
• Scotch Bonnet Pepper: 1, sliced (optional heat) Immaculate Bites

Seasonings & Greens

• Maggi or Bouillon Cubes: 2 cubes Immaculate Bites
• Salt & Black Pepper: To taste Food.com
• Leafy Greens: 2 cups baby spinach or bitterleaf, chopped Precious Core

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Roast and Grind Crayfish (Optional)

1. Spread dried crayfish on a baking sheet; roast at 350 °F for 5–7 minutes until fragrant Precious Core.
2. Cool and grind to a fine powder in a spice grinder; set aside.

2. Prep Plantains and Protein

1. Peel green plantains, slice into 1″ rounds, then halve each round Food.com.
2. Rinse smoked fish to remove excess salt; flake into bite‐sized pieces. If using meat, season and parboil until just tender La Vie Bami – Food Blog.

3. Build the Flavor Base

1. In a heavy pot, heat palm oil over medium heat until shimmering Precious Core.
2. Add onions, garlic, ginger, and Scotch bonnet; sauté 2–3 minutes until soft and aromatic La Vie Bami – Food Blog.
3. Stir in ground crayfish (if using), bouillon cubes, and black pepper; cook 1 minute.

4. Cook Plantains

1. Add plantain pieces; stir to coat in oil and aromatics Cooking With Claudy.
2. Pour in 3 cups water or stock to just cover; bring to a gentle boil Immaculate Bites.
3. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 15–20 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes to prevent sticking (“turning”) Cooking With Claudy.

5. Finish and Enrich

1. When plantains are tender and sauce has thickened, stir in flaked fish or reserved meat; simmer 5 minutes Immaculate Bites.
2. Fold in chopped spinach or bitterleaf; cook until just wilted, ~2 minutes Precious Core.
3. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper; remove from heat and rest 5 minutes before serving.

Cooking Tips & Variations

• Meat Alternatives: Use beef or goat instead of fish; brown first for extra flavor La Vie Bami – Food Blog.
• Thicker Porridge: Mash a few plantain pieces against the pot wall to naturally thicken the stew Cooking With Claudy.
• Leafy Green Swap: Substitute spinach with kale, bitterleaf, or okra for varied textures La Vie Bami – Food Blog.
• Oil Choice: Authentic taste comes from red palm oil; vegetable oil yields a milder flavor Precious Core.

Serving Suggestions

• With Fufu or Eba: Enjoy alongside cassava fufu or garri (eba) to scoop up the stew Food.com.
• Over Rice: Spoon hot Sese Plantains over steamed white rice for a comforting bowl meal Food.com.
• Garnish: Sprinkle chopped fresh herbs (parsley or basil) and serve with lime wedges for brightness La Vie Bami – Food Blog.

FAQs

Q1: Why are they called “Turning” Plantains?
Because the pot must be stirred (“turned”) frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking Cooking With Claudy.

Q2: Can I use ripe plantains?
No—ripe plantains become mushy; green ones hold their shape and yield the classic porridge texture Immaculate Bites.

Q3: How long can leftovers keep?
Refrigerate up to 3 days in an airtight container; reheat gently with a splash of water to restore consistency Food.com.

Q4: Where can I find crayfish and palm oil?
Available at African or international grocery stores and online retailers like Amazon Precious Core.