How to Cook Platano Maduro

Allow green or yellow plantains to turn black before cooking.

Platanas maduros is a cooked plantain dish popular in Latin countries in the Caribbean, Central America and South America. The sweet taste of platanos maduros comes from using black plantains which are very ripe. For this dish, the plantains should be black on the outside, ensuring that the fruit on the inside is soft and contains the most sugar, making it naturally sweet. Platanos maduros is a simple dish to make, although different countries serve it in different ways.

Things You'll Need

• Three or four black plaintains
• 1/3 to 1/2 cup, canola oil or shortening

Instructions

1. Peel the plantains and slice into 1-inch-think pieces. Cut on the bias for diagonal slices if you prefer.

2. Heat the oil or shortening in a large skillet over medium heat, adding enough to just cover the plantains..

3. Add the plantain slices when the oil is hot and allow to fry for one to two minutes on one side. Gently turn over using a slotted spoon and fry the other side for the same amount of time.

4. Reduce heat to low and allow the plantains to cook further until they are fully browned and caramelized.

5. Remove the plantains with the slotted spoon and place onto a plate covered in paper towels to drain. Serve hot.

Tips & Warnings

• While you can eat the plantains plain, some like to season with salt and pepper and sprinkle lime juice, or cinnamon and sugar.

References

• Three Guys from Miami: Cuban Food Recipe:
• The New York Times; Recipe of the Day: Sauteed Ripe Plantains (Platanos Maduros); Mark Bittman; February 2009
• The Kitchn; Recipe: Sweet Fried Plantains; Kathryn Hill; August 25, 2009

Resources

• What's Cookin, Chicago? Platanos Maduros (Fried Sweet Plantains)