Igitoki

Name: Igitoki
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Burundian
Ingredients: 8 green bananas; 2 tbsp butter; 1 tsp salt; 1/2 cup hot water

Igitoki (ee-gee-TOH-kee)

Mashed Green Bananas

⏱ Prep Time 30 min

📈 Difficulty Easy

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 235 kcal

Green bananas boiled until tender then mashed with a touch of butter and salt into a smooth, starchy side dish that pairs perfectly with bean stews and grilled meats.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 2.0g

Carbs 50.0g

Fat 3.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

gluten-free nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ dairy

Equipment Needed

large pot potato masher cutting board

Presentation Guide

Vessel: serving bowl

Garnishes: pat of butter

Accompaniments: bean stew, grilled meat

Ingredients

8 green bananas
2 tbsp butter
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup hot water

Instructions

1
Cut the tips off the green bananas and make a shallow slit along the length of each to ease peeling after cooking.
2
Boil bananas in their skins in salted water for twenty minutes until a knife pierces them easily.
3
Peel the cooked bananas while still warm, discarding the skins.
4
Mash the bananas with a potato masher or heavy fork, adding butter and hot water gradually for smooth consistency.
5
Continue mashing until the mixture is smooth and free of large lumps, with a texture similar to mashed potatoes.
6
Season with salt and serve warm as a starchy accompaniment to stews, grilled meats, or vegetable dishes.

💡

Did You Know?

Burundi is one of the world's highest per-capita banana consumers, and green bananas are treated as a vegetable rather than a fruit.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

large pot
potato masher
cutting board

Garnishing

pat of butter

Accompaniments

bean stew, grilled meat

The Story Behind Igitoki

Green banana preparations are foundational to Burundian cuisine, reflecting the country's position in the Great Lakes banana belt where dozens of varieties are cultivated. Unlike the sweet bananas eaten as fruit, cooking bananas are starchy and savory, functioning as a staple carbohydrate much like potatoes in European cuisine. Mashing boiled bananas is one of the simplest and most ancient preparations, providing a neutral, filling base that allows accompanying sauces and stews to take center stage.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed lunch and dinner 📜 Origins: Pre-colonial

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