[header] How to eat plantain leaves [title] Separate the leaves from the rest of the plant. [step] Plantain plants have many different parts, including the leaves, roots, tough, fibrous shoots and flowering seed stalks. For most recipes, it will be easiest to work with just the leaves. 
Pull the leaves gently from their stems and set them aside in a shallow bowl or colander for rinsing. [substeps] Throw out any slimy, mottled or discolored leaves you happen to come across while you're sorting-these can spoil the whole bunch.