When in Rome, do as the Romans.
When in the Caribbean…
…Make plantains.
Never had a plantain? I’d describe it as a heartier banana that almost borders on the texture of a sweet potato, sliced and fried similarly.
In fact, plantains are often used as the potato or pasta of the Caribbean because they are starchy.
The way I prepared them was a little sweet from the cinnamon and sugar and the flavor of the coconut oil seeped into them perfectly.
So the next time you see these in the market, don’t fear them.
Know that the inside is lovely and you can wind up with these. And they are so good. Just trust me on this one.
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Coconut Oil Fried Cinnamon Sugar & Ginger Plantains (vegan, gluten free)
2 plantains
2 tbsp white sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
Directions: Peel the plantains and slice the flesh about 1/8th inch thick. Add enough coconut oil to the bottom of a skillet, heat it up, and fry the plantains about 90 seconds on each side. Remove plantain slices from the oil and lay them on paper towels to blot excess oil.
While the plantains are cooling, combine sugar, cinnamon, and ginger in a small bowl. Add the plantains to the bowl, tossing with your hands to coat the slices before serving.
Extras will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two. Not necessarily “ideal” but still okay a day (or two) later.
Optional:
Omit cinnamon-sugar-ginger coating and try a savory coating
Dip them in something (based on what kind of spices you used in your recipe) such as: a yogurt-based dip, ketchup, honey, ranch or Blue Cheese dressing, or smear them with extra coconut oil or butter, or make honey butter or honey coconut oil.
I suspect a agave or honey-cream cheese-cinnamon-sugar dip would have been perfect with the recipe I used today (1/4 c cream cheese, 2 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon; stir to combine & dip the slices in)
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Here’s a chart that highlights a few of the differences between plantains and bananas
Plantains | Bananas |
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You don’t have to make the plantains with cinnamon and sugar. But that would be crazy. Why make something savory when you have a raging sweet tooth and can satisfy it with some cinnamon and sugary and still say that you’ve eaten your vegetables.
You could make plantains with garlic and onions or any number of spices from cumin to turmeric to curry to just fry them in vegetable or olive with salt and pepper or no seasonings at all.
And yes, that’s a banana in the picture with the plantains. Just to keep you on your toes.
For those who don’t “love” bananas (I like bananas in things, like in one of these, but am not really that keen on bananas just on their own), plantains don’t taste all that similar to bananas.
A few hours later the extra plantain slices we didn’t inhale immediately were almost cake-like. Okay, cake is a stretch, but bread-like. Chewy and starchy and full of texture. Not mushy like a banana.
If you’ve ever had dehydrated bananas, plantains have a similar texture.
They make for a great snack and I served them as a side to our dinner but I don’t even bother taking dinner pictures here anymore because the lighting is so atrocious.
And with the cinnamon, sugar, and dusting of ginger at the end, good stuff.
But a dusting of cinnamon and sugar will always make things better for me.
Case in point, Coconut Cinnamon Sugar Roasted Almonds
Questions:
Have you ever had plantains? If so, where and how were they prepared?
Would you like to try them sometime?
And if you want to get your hands on some free Coconut Oil (maybe to fry up some plantains), enter the Coconut Oil Giveaway that I have going on.
I love LOVE plantains! I like them every which way you can prepare them- but honestly, I think my favorite is to just cut them into semi-think chunks and bake the so that they’re crispy on the outside and mushy on the inside… my tummy is rumbling just thinking about it.
Guess I’ll be picking up some plantains this weekend now…
Question: have you ever had the mini red ones? I don’t know if mine weren’t ripe or what, but when I bought some, they were horrible!
No I havent tried them so not sure… :)
Oh you’re making me miss good ol’ fried plantains! Every island in the Caribbean does them a bit differently but they’re all just the same caramelized fried goodness. Soooo yum and the perfect comfort food!
I always forget you’re from the Caribbean or spent major time down here!
I have never tried plantains before, but you have a way of making anything look delicious.
“Why make something savory when you have a raging sweet tooth and can satisfy it with some cinnamon and sugary and still say that you’ve eaten your vegetables.” <– you are so a woman after my own heart! Hear hear!
have a great weekend :)
YUM Averie! So good are those plantians. And in Coconut oil…good lord!
Enjoy em while you can right!
These are wonderful https://www.daisymartinez.com/recipes/PlantainChips0107.htm especially when dipped in this https://www.daisymartinez.com/recipes/Mojito0107.htm :D You remind me that it’s about time to make them again.
OMG! I love plantains! So smart frying them in coconut oil too! If you could just package those up and ship them up to Oregon, that would be great!!
I am madly in love with plaintains but have never prepared them at home. I guess I just wasn’t thinking of how easy they could be!!!
Those look delicious! I love plantains. Love the inspiration from your vacation. :)
I’ve never had plantains and NOW I REALLY NEED TO.
Why? Why do this to me? You know I’ll have to make these now. They look waaaay too good not to. And then I’ll eat them all. Is that a bad thing? I hope not.
I’m off to fry me up some plantains!
Yep. Definitely coming with you next time. ;)
i love plantains. Great post!
YES! I had plantains when we were in Puerto Rico, of just about every variety. Sweet, savory, fried, you name it. Loved them. And I am just dying at your beachy pictures. *sigh*
I love plantains! Never tried making them myself, though, but they sound easy enough! And the addition of cinnamon sounds fabulous.