🇨🇩 Congolese (DRC) Cuisine

Lituma

Mashed Plantain Balls

Prep Time 20 min
Servings 4
Difficulty Easy
Calories 281 kcal

Green plantains boiled and pounded into smooth, dense balls, creating a starchy accompaniment with a subtle sweetness that pairs beautifully with soups and stews.

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. 1 Peel green plantains and cut into large chunks.
  2. 2 Boil in salted water for 20-25 minutes until very soft.
  3. 3 Drain and transfer to a mortar. Pound vigorously until smooth and elastic.
  4. 4 Wet hands and shape the mashed plantain into smooth balls.
  5. 5 Serve immediately alongside soups, stews, or grilled meats.

Did You Know?

Lituma is sometimes called "the fufu of the forest" because in regions where cassava is scarce, plantains take its place as the pounded staple.