What the heck is plantain, some of you may be wondering...
...a plantain is kind of like a banana, only with more starch and less sugar. In fact, you would NOT want to eat a plantain raw, as it is quite unpalatable. It is typically used in savory dishes similar to how a potato might be employed.
I went to an allergy clinic back in 2007 where I experimented with rotating my diet and eating different fruits and vegetables than what I was used to, including plantains. When you let them blacken, they become a bit softer and sweeter, similar to bananas, and are delicious when pan-fried in a bit of coconut oil.
Back then, I was unable to have sugar or desserts, so this recipe was one I came up with to satisfy my sweet tooth. I made it for my husband a while back, and he loved them! Since then, I have perfected the recipe to suit our tastes....
....crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside....
I like to top mine with a bit of unsweetened coconut and dip them in a bit of applesauce. My husband thinks the applesauce overwhelms the flavor, so he eats them plain or with a dab of maple syrup....
Shallow-Fried Plantains
Ingredients
- 2 plantains blackened
- pinch sea salt
- 2-4 T. coconut oil for frying (use a smaller non-stick skillet (mine is 6 inches), then you will need less oil)
- 2 T. unsweetened coconut optional
- applesauce or maple syrup as desired for sweetness
Instructions
- Peel and slice the plantains into 1 inch slices.
- Heat the skillet and 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat (the smaller the skillet the less oil you will need).
- Allow them to fry for about 3-4 minutes each side (check them after 3 minutes, they should be lightly browned).
- Place them onto a paper towel-lined plate to drain a bit (or not :-); They taste delicious with the coconut oil drippings too!).
- Repeat this process until all of the plantain slices are fried, using oil as needed.
Notes
Nutrition
Such a delicious snack with the good fat from the coconut oil!.....
What's one food you love fried?
Doughnuts. I haven't had one in many years, but the baked ones just aren't the same.
Kinzie
Yep. I checked. You need 360-375 degrees for donuts. Smoke point for coconut oil is 350. What falls into that range? vegetable oil, and LARD. haha. mmm. EVOO might work, but it would almost have to be a savory donut, which defeats the whole purpose. peanut oil? Maybe just eat a traditionally-prepared donut once a year and call it good. 🙂
Lauren
Haha, sounds good to me! 🙂
Kinzie
also, for interested parties, Costco has a 54 oz. jar of EVCO (although may not be organic, I'll have to look) for about $21 as well.
Kinzie
well why couldn't you fry a doughnut in coconut oil?
Lauren
I think deep-frying temperatures might exceed the smoke point of coconut oil...I haven't checked that for sure though, so maybe you could! 🙂
Dawn Shelton
i LUV plantains! thanks for making it healthy. can't wait to make!
Lauren
Thanks Dawn! I hope you enjoy them as much as we do. 🙂