Whats a plantain ? Am I missing something ?
It's a variety of banana, which is rather hard (like an eggplant) instead of soft like the usual "munching" variety.
They're just the right consistency after frying, whereas an ordinary banana would end up too mushy.
I take that you don't like in an urban area in the east or west. Plantains are Latin bananas ... they are used in stews and, well ... fried planains. They are wonderful.