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Vegetarian, Africa and overseas

Matoke with tomatoes

Matoke is a Ugandan dish of green plantains simmered with tomatoes, onions, and bell pepper. For 4 people, it takes 50 minutes, is rated easy, and costs €2.30 per serving. Chickpeas turn it into a complete meal, and the key to success is cooking the plantains slowly until they turn soft.

Tonight, Ugandan matoke, green plantains simmered with tomatoes and onions, a complete dish with chickpeas.

Matoke with tomatoes
Total time
50 min
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€2.30
Calories per person
610 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Fall, Summer
The kids
They generally like it

Matoke has that distinctive texture of green plantains, closer to potato than to sweet ripe banana, melting slowly into a tomato sauce spiced with paprika and turmeric. Carrots and bell pepper add body, fresh cilantro brightens everything at the end, and chickpeas turn this stew into a complete meatless meal.

This is the kind of dish to make on a weeknight when you want a break from pasta and rice, with no tricky technique or hard to find ingredient. Kids tend to like the soft texture of the plantains, and it holds up well for a relaxed dinner with friends, served straight from the pot.

The ingredients

4 people

Fruits and vegetables

  • Green plantains 5
  • Tomatoes 4
  • Onions 2
  • Red bell pepper 1
  • Garlic 3 cloves
  • Carrots 2
  • Cilantro 8 sprigs

Pantry

  • Canned chickpeasoften in the pantry 1 can
  • Paprikaoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Turmericoften in the pantry 1 tsp
  • Sunflower oiloften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 2 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

The step by step recipe

  1. Cut off the ends of the plantains, slit the peel lengthwise, remove it, and cut the flesh into large chunks.

    If you can't find green plantains, firm waxy potatoes make a very good matoke.

  2. Sauté the sliced onions, garlic, and bell pepper in the oil, then add the paprika and turmeric. 8 min

    Start with the onions alone, then add the pepper after, so each cooks at its own pace.

  3. Add the diced tomatoes and sliced carrots and let everything stew down. 10 min

    A pinch of salt at this point draws out the tomatoes' water faster.

  4. Add the plantains to the pot, cover halfway with water, season with salt and pepper, and simmer covered. 20 min

    They're done when a knife tip slides through without resistance.

  5. Add the drained chickpeas, let heat through for 3 minutes, and sprinkle with cilantro. 3 min

    Mash a few pieces of plantain to thicken the sauce.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick plantains that are very green and firm, they hold their shape better during cooking than riper ones that turn mushy.
  • Taste the sauce before adding the chickpeas, it's the right moment to adjust the salt or add a bit of chili if you like heat.
  • If the sauce looks too thin at the end, simmer uncovered for a few more minutes to let it reduce.

The variations

  • Swap the chickpeas for red or white beans to vary the texture of this complete dish.
  • Add a piece of chicken to simmer along with the plantains for a meat version, keeping the same cooking time.
  • For a faster version, use riper plantains, they cook about 10 minutes less and give a softer, mushier result.

What to serve it with

  • Plain white rice
  • Flatbread or chapati
  • Ginger tea

Storage

Matoke keeps for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It freezes well for up to 2 months, reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.

Questions about this dish

Can I use something other than green plantains?

If you can't find green plantains, firm waxy potatoes make a very good matoke. The texture will be a bit different but the sauce stays just as tasty.

How do I pick good green plantains for this recipe?

Choose plantains with firm, bright green skin and no black spots. The greener they are, the better they hold their shape instead of turning to mush.

Can matoke be made ahead of time?

Yes, make it the day before and reheat gently on the stovetop, the flavor actually deepens overnight. Add the fresh cilantro only when you're ready to serve.

Is matoke good for kids?

Yes, the soft texture of the plantains and the mild tomato sauce usually go over well with kids. You can cut back on the pepper for an even milder version.

How long does it take to make a matoke with tomatoes?

Count 50 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a matoke with tomatoes?

About 610 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a matoke with tomatoes cost?

About €2.30 per serving, or €9.20 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains none of the major allergens tracked by Mon Chou. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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