How to Make Fried Plantains for Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a week long celebration of African-American culture which begins on December 26th. On December 31st, the last day of Kwanzaa, a large meal is enjoyed. One popular dish is fried plantains. To keep to tradition for Kwanzaa, it is best to offer a variety of fried plantain that can be served as a side dish as desserts were not a part of traditional African meals.

Things You'll Need

• Medium-sized bowl
• 5 tbsp. of unsalted butter, divided
• 2 tbsp. of brown sugar
• Plate
• Cast iron or other heavy bottomed skillet
• 4 green or half ripe plantains (for chips)
• 1 tsp. of cinnamon
• 2 or 3 ripe plantains (for sweet recipes)
• Oil for frying (canola or vegetable)
• Oil for frying chips (about 2 inches in a heavy skillet)
• 2 tsp. of salt
• Cold water
• Paper towel
• Salt and pepper
• 1 tsp. of real vanilla extract
• 4 ripe plantains (for fried)

Instructions

Make Fried Plantains for Kwanzaa

1. Peel and thinly slice the plantains lengthwise.

2. Pour 1 inch of Canola or vegetable oil into the bottom of your heavy skillet and warm until hot, but not smoking.

3. Fry plantain slices until they are nice golden brown color, and then gently flip to the other side. This should take about 2 or 3 minutes in total, but let your eyes be the judge.

4. Remove plantain slices from the skillet and place on paper towels to drain excess oil, then season with salt and pepper.

   Makes about 6 to 8 servings.

Make Sweet Fried Plantains

1. Peel and slice plantains into thin, lengthwise pieces.

2. Heat up 4 tbsp. of the butter over a medium-low heat and then fry plantains until they are golden brown on both sides.

3. Add in the brown sugar, cinnamon and vanilla extract and let plantains cook in sauce until the mixture starts to caramelize (thicken up and turn brown).

4. Melt the last tbsp. of butter in the sauce and then serve immediately. Serves about four.

Make Fried Plantain Chips

1. Peel plantains and cut crosswise at an angle (thinly). The thinner they are cut, the more crispy your plantain chips will be.

2. Fill the bowl with the cold water, 1 tsp. of the salt and the plantain slices and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.

3. Heat up the oil in the skillet.

4. Remove the plantains from the water bath and drain them on paper towels until they are completely dry. They will not crisp up if they are soggy.

5. Put about 1/4 of the plantains in the oil and fry for 3 to 5 minutes, or until they are brown and crisp. Then drain on paper towel. Repeat until they are all cooked.

6. Sprinkle the chips with salt and serve for about four servings.

Tips & Warnings

• If you'd like to make this dish as a dessert simply add a dash of powdered sugar, cool whip or maybe a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

• Fry your plantains a little longer to make fried plantain chips to have something to snack on throughout the whole week long Kwanzaa celebration.

Resources

• African Food for Kwanzaa or Black History Month