Ugandan Matoke with Creamy Peanut Sauce

Matoke is a staple of Ugandan cooking made with green cooking bananas that become soft and tender when steamed. Their mild, starchy flavor pairs especially well with groundnut sauce, a rich, savory sauce made from ground peanuts.

This home-friendly version serves steamed green cooking bananas with a creamy peanut sauce made with tomatoes, onion, garlic, and ginger. Green plantains can be used when East African cooking bananas are difficult to find.

Start with the Vegetable Cooking Guide:
https://www.letsveg.com/vegetable-cooking-guide

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Ugandan Matoke with Creamy Peanut Sauce

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Steamed green cooking bananas served with a creamy groundnut (peanut) sauce made with tomatoes, onion, garlic, and ginger. A home-friendly version of a classic Ugandan pairing.

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 55 minutes mins

Servings: 4

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Uganda

Calories: 862

Ingredients Equipment Cooking Instructions Nutrition Notes

Ingredients

  

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• For the Matoke
• 6 green cooking bananas or green plantains
• 2 cups water for steaming
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro or parsley chopped, for garnish
• For the Peanut Sauce
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger grated
• 2 medium tomatoes diced
• 1 cup natural unsweetened peanut butter
• 2 cups vegetable broth or water
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
• 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon or lime juice

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Equipment

Cuisinart Microwave Steamer

$18.99

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Vegetable Steamer

5 Quart Pot

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small soup pot

Cooking Instructions

 

1. Cut off the ends of the green cooking bananas and carefully remove the thick peels.
2. Cut the bananas into large chunks and place them in a steamer basket over simmering water.
3. Cover and steam for 20-25 minutes, or until very tender when pierced with a fork. Season lightly with salt.
4. Meanwhile, heat the vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
5. Add the onion and cook for 4-5 minutes until soft. Stir in the garlic and ginger and cook for another minute.
6. Add the tomatoes and cook for 5-7 minutes until they soften and begin to form a sauce.
7. Reduce the heat and stir in the peanut butter, vegetable broth, cumin, paprika, cayenne if using, salt, and black pepper.
8. Simmer gently for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently, until the peanut sauce is smooth and creamy. Add a little more broth if it becomes too thick.
9. Stir the lemon or lime juice into the sauce and adjust the seasoning to taste.
10. Arrange the steamed matoke on serving plates, spoon the warm peanut sauce generously over or alongside it, garnish with fresh herbs, and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 862kcalCarbohydrates: 121gProtein: 20gFat: 37gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 10gMonounsaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 2mgSodium: 585mgPotassium: 1753mgFiber: 11gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 1030IUVitamin C: 68mgCalcium: 63mgIron: 4mg

Notes

Matoke is traditionally prepared with green East African cooking bananas, which are starchier and less sweet than ripe bananas. Green plantains are a practical substitute when matoke bananas are unavailable
Wear lightly oiled gloves when peeling green bananas if the sticky sap bothers your hands.
Use natural, unsweetened peanut butter so the sauce remains savory rather than sweet.
Keep the peanut sauce at a gentle simmer and stir regularly to prevent sticking.
Serve with additional vegetables, beans, or greens for a larger Ugandan-inspired meal.

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