For a quick snack or side dish, make a batch of fried sweet plantains. The tasty dish is a staple in many regions around the world, including the Caribbean, the Philippines and Latin America. Simply fry ripe plantains until caramelized and then sprinkle them with sugar and/or salt. Here’s how to cook sweet plantain at home.
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Things You’ll Need
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2 ripe plantains
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Vegetable or canola oil
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Salt (optional)
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Brown sugar (optional)
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Cinnamon (optional)
Tip
Ripe plantains are mostly black with a bit of yellow. To quickly ripen plantains, store them in a paper bag. You can also bake plantains at 300°F for 10 to 30 minutes depending on their initial level of ripeness. Let the plantains cool before handling them.
Step 1
Place a paper towel on a plate. Set aside.
Slice off the ends of each plantain and then remove the peel.
Step 2
Cut the plantain at an angle, creating 1/2-inch-thick pieces.
Step 3
Add oil to a large skillet about 1/4 inch deep. Warm the oil until it is hot. The oil should sizzle when you add a piece of plantain.
Step 4
Cook until golden brown and crispy, about 2 minutes. Flip them and cook for another 2 minutes.
Tip
If the plantains become burnt, turn down the heat.
Step 5
Using a slotted spoon, transfer the plantains to a paper-towel-lined plate.
Step 6
Sprinkle the plantains with sugar, salt and/or cinnamon if you’d like. Enjoy them warm.
