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.
![How to cook sweet plantain](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/10/19/e32b270457b64c5fbd4cff41fda9c76c.jpg)
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Things You'll Need
2 ripe plantains
Vegetable or canola oil
Salt (optional)
Brown sugar (optional)
Cinnamon (optional)
![Ingredients for sweet plantains recipe](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/10/19/266430462de94b068a873ccfc41000c1.jpg)
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.
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Slice off the ends of each plantain and then remove the peel.
![Peel plantains](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/10/19/f1318a207c79498ca87f46fc0a7266fd.jpg)
Step 2
Cut the plantain at an angle, creating 1/2-inch-thick pieces.
![Slice plantains](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/10/19/b7885ef37eda44719c60cf34ef194539.jpg)
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.
![Fry plantains in a large skillet](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/10/19/ebb3044a1eee4841bb9d07566292ad1f.jpg)
Step 4
Cook until golden brown and crispy, about 2 minutes. Flip them and cook for another 2 minutes.
![Cook the plantains until golden brown and crispy](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/10/19/7adc478e3081465d8ca3c6f28b538a37.jpg)
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.
![Transfer cooked plantains to a plate](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/10/19/be4684685f3a4b0d86689e046585b8c9.jpg)
Step 6
Sprinkle the plantains with sugar, salt and/or cinnamon if you'd like. Enjoy them warm.
![Finished fried sweet plantains](https://img.ehowcdn.com/375/media-storage/contentlab-data/10/19/d6f9d0a74457445b98e5c871c97cfbd7.jpg)