Creamed Plantain Leaves
This is a variation on creamed spinach, but you have to gather a lot of plantain leaves to make this work.

Wash 1 lb of plantain leaves, but do not dry.
Place in a large saucepan over medium heat and cook, covered, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove to a collander and rinse quickly. Press out as much water as possible. (This will remove bitterness from older leaves.) Chop finely.
Bring to a boil in a large skillet:
1/2 cup of heavy cream.
Add the leaves and season with
1/4 tsp salt
Pepper to taste
Optional: freshly grated nutmeg to taste.
Cook over medium heat about 3 minutes, until cream has reduced.
FREEZES WELL.
Serve garnished with hard boiled eggs, crumbled bacon, or croutons. You can also use this as a filling for crepes.

Plantain Leaves with Currants and Roasted Nuts

Wash 1 lb of plantain leaves, but do not dry. Chop coarsely.
Place in a large saucepan over medium heat and cook, covered, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove to a collander and rinse quickly. Press out as much water as possible. (This will remove bitterness from older leaves.)
In a large skillet, heat over a medium fire:
2 tbsp olive oil
Add
1/4 cup nuts (pine nuts, pecans or walnuts all do well. Use what grows locally if possible.)
Cook just until they begin to roast.
Add
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
Cook another minute, then add the leaves, along with
1/4 cup currants or raisins
Salt and pepper to taste
Cook, stirring frequently, about 5 more minutes and serve hot. YUM!

Plantain Links
Follow these links for lots more info--botanical, identification, history, cultivation, medicinal uses. Your education will not be complete without this information, which is not included in my newsletter as I see no need to repeat what other experts have said.

BOTANICAL, HISTORY AND PHOTOS:
http://cochise.uia.net/alistar/Plantain.htm
http://www.cloudnet.com/~djeans/FlwPlant/CPlantain.htm

PROPAGATION, GROWTH HABITS

VARIETIES, CULTIVATION:
http://www.wlu.ca/~wwwbiol/bio305/Database/plantagolanceolata.htm

NUTRITIONAL AND MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/p/placom43.html
http://www.mycustompak.com/healthNotes/Herb/Plantain.htm