Traditional to many Latin American countries, fried plantains are a delicious side dish or dessert.Fried green plantains are often used in place of fried potatoes.Fried sweet plantains are a great dessert.Learn how to make fried plantains both ways.
Step 1: Pick out fresh green plantains.
Fried green plantains are made with fresh fruit.If you're new to the fruit, look for bananas with green skins.If you want to make a fried side dish, green plantains are a good choice.If you want the sweet version of fried plantains, you have to wait until they are fully ripe.The green skins of the plantains should not bruise.If you want to make sweet plantains after a week or two, buy a bunch of them and use some while they're ripe.
Step 2: Put the plantains in a container.
The green plantains' skin is too stiff to be removed like that of a banana.Cut the ends of the plantains with a paring knife.Cut the skin from one end to the other with a knife.Remove the skin from the fruit with your fingers, then discard it.
Step 3: Cut the plantains into bite-sized pieces.
Cut a plantain into 1-inch pieces by laying it on a cutting board.This is the way to slice tostones.If you slice the plantain in half, you will get long, flat strips when they fry.
Step 4: Make sure the oil is hot.
If you put the oil in a stockpot, it will rise up about 2 inch.When you add a bit of plantain, it should be hot enough to sizzle.It should get to about 340 F.
Step 5: The food will be Fryed.
Fry the plantain pieces in the hot oil for about 5 minutes and they will be tender and golden.The pieces should be flipped halfway through the frying process.Transfer them to paper towel-lined plates to drain when they're golden.If you want the plantains to cook evenly, you need to fry them in a single layer.Don't add too much to the pot.You can fry them in two batches.The oil should be left on the heat since you'll be frying the plantains again.
Step 6: The pieces should be dipped in saltwater.
Place a small bowl of water and salt in it.The pieces should be dipped in the saltwater.The process makes the pieces softer so that they are creamy on the inside.If you want, you can skip this step, but the plantains will be a little dry.
Step 7: The pieces of plantain can be smashed.
Use the back of a spatula to smash them.This will flatten the pieces so they don't fall apart.
Step 8: Again, Fry them.
After dipping the pieces in water, put them back in the hot oil.About 3 more minutes, they will turn gold.When the plantains are golden brown, serve them on a paper towel lined plate.
Step 9: They should be served hot with sauce.
Put a bit of salt on the plantains.Fried green plantains are great with a variety of sauces.
Step 10: Pick out the ripe ones.
When you press them, they give you a little.Their skins are brown and yellow.If you find green plantains, give them a few days to mature.
Step 11: Put the plantains in a container.
Cut the ends of the plantains with a paring knife.Use your fingers to remove the peel from the fruit.The peel should be discarded.
Step 12: You can slice them on the diagonal.
Cut the plantains into 1/2-inch pieces by laying them on a cutting board.If you prefer thicker plantains, slice them into 1-inch pieces.You can slice them into small pieces.
Step 13: Make sure the oil is hot.
If you want the oil to rise up the sides, place it in a stockpot or frying pan.The temperature of the oil will be read by a deep frying thermometer.If you want to make a less oil-laden dish, add a bit of oil to a frying pan and heat it until it sizzles.
Step 14: The plantains are good to Fry.
It takes about 2 minutes to fry them until they're brown and crisp on one side.Fry them on the other side until both sides are golden brown.The longer they cook, the sweeter it will taste.
Step 15: Take the plantains out of the water.
Remove them from the hot oil and place them on a paper towel lined plate to drain.
Step 16: They should be served hot with sugar.
To make them taste better, sprinkle them with sugar and cinnamon.Fresh whipped cream can be used to top the fried sweet plantains.