Plantain is a type of fruit that belongs to the genus Musa and is closely related to the banana. It has a larger, more robust appearance than its cousin, with a thick, green skin covering a white or yellow flesh. Plantains are typically used in cooking rather than eaten raw due to their starchy texture when ripe. They can be boiled, fried, roasted, or mashed and are commonly found in dishes from the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.