Lentil Soup with Plantains

Name: Lentil Soup with Plantains
Ingredients: 2 large onions; 11 garlic cloves; 2 cinnamon sticks; 6 whole cloves; 1 bunch fresh thyme or 1 tablespoon dried; 1 gallon vegetable stock, recipe above; 3 cups lentils, washed and picked over; 6 tablespoons olive oil or unsalted butter; 2 ripe plantains or bananas, peeled, cut in half and diced; 3 medium carrots, peeled, cut into quarters lengthwise and sliced in 1/2-inch pieces; 1 tablespoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice; 1 1/2 bunches cilantro, leaves and stems, chopped