Platanos Frito - Comfort Food Edition

One of my childhood favorites is a very simple dish, platanos fritos. Platanos or plantains are wonderfully sweet caramelized dish. It perfect for anytime of day. My mom would make this on weekends. It's a typical Salvadoran dish. A side of eggs, refried beans, queso fresco and crema would complete the meal. I have fond memories of this dish and it always brings back warm thoughts. Anytime I eat this meal I feel like a kid again. It's one of the few dish I can make like mom does.

Platanos fritos are ripe plantain fried in a pan with a bit of oil. You can deep fry them but I prefer to them pan fried. Though it's a simple dish its doesn't always come out the way you like. The platano has natural sugars so if you're not careful they will burn. I have had the first few come out beautifully golden brown while the others burnt. Personally, I like them a little burnt because I like it crispy & crunchy. When I would help Mom make this dish I would burn a few on purpose, so I could have them. : ) Shh, that's our little secret.

If you are making this for a family I would use 4-6 platanos, depending on your families' appetite.


To get started I add 1Tbsp oil to the pan on medium heat so it's waiting for me and not the other way around. I cut the platano in half. Then I cut the ends off. Then I carefully peel the skin off. The skin is thick so I use a paring knife to put a slit through the skin then peel. Keep the skin, they will be our "foil" to keep the cooked platanos warm while the rest cook.

The next step is the hard part. You would cut the half into 3 or 4 pieces lengthwise. I take the half in my hand and slice the platanos, with a paring knife, along the lines they naturally have. The slices should be about 1/4 inch or so. Now the platanos are slippery so for beginners I would recommend you use a cutting board and carefully slice lengthwise.

Once they are all cut, add them to the oil, carfeul not to crowd the pan. Check every 2 to 4 minutes to see if ready. You're looking for it to be golden brown. Once the first side is brown, flip and wait 2-4 minutes until it's golden brown. When ready, transfer to a plate and cover with the skins to keep warm while you finish cooking the rest. You can serve the platanos with a side of refried beans, cream (sour cream) eggs and/or queso fresco. For some easy beans, just buy Ducal Black refried beans. They are the best packaged beans I've had. I add a little diced onion into my beans when I cook them it gives them an extra pop of flavor.

If you want something sweeter you can add sugar to the platanos as they cook. You can even take those "candied" platanos add a little cinnamon and make them an ice cream topping. It's unusual but delicious. 

Platanos make me so happy. They fill my belly and my heart. Pure comfort food.

Buen Provecho!

You want nice black plantanos, they're sweeter!

With a paring knife cut off ends.

Split down the middle, careful not to cut through the platanos

Peel skin and cut in half.

I cut holding it but for beginners lay it on the cutting board.

Halfway

Look at those beauties.

Cover with peel to keep warm while you cook the rest.

Serve with refried beans, sour cream, queso fresco or egg or all the above!

Delicious caramelized goodness!!!