Fried Plantains

Question: I always walk by the plantains at the grocery store, and I love foods with plantains when I eat out.  Unfortunately, I have no idea how to use them or how to incorporate them into a meal and the last time I attempted to cook a plantain ended in failure.  How should plantains be prepared?

Answer: I too love plantains, and they’re easy to prepare if you know how to shop for them.  If you pick out firm green-ish plantains like these:

you can use them as a starch in stews and soups, much like you would a potato.  If you pick out soft, yellow and black plantains like these:

you can make fried or sweet plantains (as seen in the top picture), which is the kind you’ve probably had at restaurants, and the kind I find most delicious.

Fried Plantains

 

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Ingredients

• 2 large yellow/black plantains, medium-soft to the touch
• 2 Tbsp canola oil
• Kosher salt

Instructions

1. Heat 1 Tbsp oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Peel plantains by scoring the peel with a small knife and cutting all the way down, then remove the plantain and slice into thick diagonal slices.
2. Gently place plantain slices in skillet in a single layer and sprinkle generously with salt (may have to cook in 2 batches, so save remaining Tbsp oil in case). Let cook for 2-3 minutes (until light brown crust forms) then flip, sprinkle again with salt, and cook another 2-3 minutes.
3. Remove to a paper-towel to drain, then serve as a side dish. Delicious alongside beans, rice, and salad; or, drizzle with honey and serve as dessert.

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*Images taken from http://www.toomanychefs.net/archives/001777.php and http://lenaskitchen.wordpress.com/2008/05/27/plantain/