Fried plantains is a delicious side dish or dessert that is a tradition in South American countries. Fried green plantain "tostones" are crispy and tasty and are often served in place of fried potatoes or french fries. Fried sweet plantains sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar make a wonderful dessert. If you want to learn how to make both dishes, just keep reading.
ingredients
Fried green plantains
- 900 g unripe plantains
- 2 cups of vegetable oil
- Salt to taste
Fried sweet plantains
- 900 g ripe plantains
- 2 cups of vegetable oil
- Sugar and cinnamon to taste
method
Method 1 of 2: Fry green plantains
Step 1. Choose fresh green plantains
Fried green plantains are made from fresh unripe plantains. If you are new to plantains, look for large, green-peeled plantains. Green plantains are perfect for a tasty fried side dish. If you want to try the sweet version of fried plantains, you'll have to wait until they're fully ripe.
- Green plantains should be firm and have a green skin with minimal bruises.
- If you want, you can buy a whole bunch of plantains and use some unripe and keep some for a week or two to make sweet plantains.
Step 2. Peel the plantains
The skin of green plantains is too stiff to peel like a normal banana. Cut the ends off with a paring knife. Guide the knife along the banana and slit the peel from one to the other. Use your fingers to peel the peel off the inside of the fruit, remove the peel completely, and discard it.
Step 3. Cut the plantains into bite-sized pieces
Place a plantain on a cutting board and cut it diagonally into 2 - 3 cm pieces. This is the common way to cut tostones.
Alternatively, you can cut the plantain lengthways into long, flat strips that roll up as you brew
Step 4. Heat the oil
Pour the oil into a roasting pan or soup pot so that it is filled to about 1cm to the brim. Heat it carefully until it is hot enough and crackles when you add a little plantain to the roaster. It should reach 170 degrees.
Step 5. Fry the plantains
Layer the plantain pieces in the hot oil and fry them until they are soft and golden in color. This should take about 5 minutes. Halfway through the process, turn the plantains. When they are gold, transfer them to a paper-lined plate to drain.
- Make sure to fry the plantains in a single layer so they cook evenly. Don't overfill the roasting pan. If necessary, you can cook them in two servings.
- Leave the oil on the stove as you will be frying the plantains again.
Step 6. Dip the plantain pieces in salted water
Fill a small bowl with water and add a few pinches of salt. Dip the banana pieces one at a time in the salt water. This process softens the pieces a little so that they become nice and creamy on the inside.
You can skip this step if you want. However, the plantains will then be a little dry
Step 7. Smash the banana pieces
Put them on a plate and smash them a little with the back of a spatula. This flattens the plantain pieces and makes them thin and crispy as you fry them.
Step 8. Fry them again
After soaking the plantains in salted water, return them to the hot oil and fry them a second time. Fry them until they take on an intense golden hue, about 3 minutes more. And turn them over if necessary. When the plantains are golden brown, transfer them to a plate lined with kitchen paper to serve.
Step 9. Serve the plantains with a spicy sauce
Sprinkle the plantains with a little salt and serve. Fried green plantains taste delicious with alioli, spicy mayonnaise, coriander sauce and sweet pepper sauce.
Method 2 of 2: Fry sweet plantains
Step 1. Choose ripe, sweet plantains
Sweet plantains give way a little when you put some pressure on the peel. The skin is spotty yellow and brown. If you find green plantains, let them ripen a few days longer before making your sweet dessert.
Step 2. Peel the plantains
Cut the ends off with a paring knife. Use your fingers to peel the peel and remove it from the inner fruit. Then throw the bowl away.
Step 3. Cut them into slices diagonally
Place the plantains on a cutting board and cut them into slices about 1 cm thick. If you prefer it thicker, cut into 2 - 3 cm thick slices. If you like them nice and crispy, cut into 0.7 cm thick slices.
Step 4. Heat the oil
Pour the oil into a stock pot or frying pan so that it is covered about 1 cm to the brim. Heat the oil until your thermometer reads 170 degrees.
For a slightly less greasy dish, add just a little oil to a frying pan and heat it until it starts to crackle when you add a piece of plantain
Step 5. Fry the plantains
Layer them in the hot oil and fry them until they are brown and crispy on one side. This should take about 2 minutes. Flip them over and cook on the other side until golden brown on both sides. The longer they cook, the sweeter they become.
Step 6. Drain the oil from the plantains
Take them out of the hot oil and place them on a plate lined with kitchen paper so that they drain completely.
Step 7. Serve hot with sugar
Sprinkle them with sugar and cinnamon to taste. If you want to top it off, top the plantains with a dollop of fresh whipped cream.
Tips
- Make fried plantains for friends gatherings, parties, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any other occasion.
- Slice them thinly to give them a crispier texture.
Warnings
- Observe the usual precautionary measures when frying.
- Let them cool before you eat. It can take a surprisingly long time to get through from the inside (or they are surprisingly tempting very quickly from the outside).
