Hawaiian Cooking Banana

The The Hua Moa banana or Hawaiian Plantain, also known as Maoli in Hawaiian or Hawaiian cooking banana, is a traditional staple crop in Hawaii and other Pacific islands. While not a true plantain, it resembles plantains in that it is typically cooked before eating rather than consumed raw. The Hawaiian Plantain is highly valued for its starchy texture, subtle sweetness, and versatility in traditional dishes. It is part of the Musa genus, the same genus that includes both bananas and plantains, and is closely related to tropical varieties grown throughout the Pacific, Southeast Asia, and the Caribbean.