How to Prepare Sweet Plantains

Plantains become deliciously sweet as they ripen.

Although plantains share similarities with bananas, plantain fruits contain more starch than bananas and you must cook plantains before serving them. When you allow a plantain to ripen until it becomes yellow, the flesh will become sweet. Prepare sweet plantains by frying them lightly in oil. The natural sweetness of the plantain eliminates the need for additional sweeteners added to the fruit and the fried plantain slices will be tasty and delicious. This recipe serves four.

Things You'll Need

• 3 large, ripe plantains
• Cutting board
• Paring knife
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 12-inch skillet
• 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
• Slotted spoon

Instructions

1. Peel the plantains and place the peeled fruits onto the cutting board.

2. Slice the plantains in half lengthwise and then slice the halved plantains into halves or thirds so that each piece is about 3 inches long.

3. Pour the vegetable oil into the skillet and heat it over medium heat for about three minutes.

4. Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the sliced plantains to the hot oil.

5. Sprinkle the cinnamon lightly over the plantains and stir them gently with the slotted spoon.

6. Cook and stir the plantains for about three minutes without stirring. Carefully flip the plantain slices with the spoon and cook them for an additional three minutes.

7. Remove the plantain slices from the pan with the slotted spoon when they appear lightly golden and crispy.

8. Serve the plantains immediately.

References

• Oregon State University; Food Resource; Difference Between Plantain and Banana