How to Make Platanos Maduros (Sweet Fried Plantains)

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How to Make Platanos Maduros (Sweet Fried Plantains)

Plantains have circled the globe - they've journeyed from Asia to Africa to the Americas. This recipe is from Cuba and is a sweeter dish made from ripe plantains.

Felicia Gustin

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Step 1 of 8

I made another guide for tostones (savory fried plantains) which are made from the green plantains pictured above on the right. For this recipe, you'll use the yellow or black plantains.

Step 2 of 8

The darker the skin, the sweeter the taste.

Step 3 of 8

I prefer the black peel because the sugars of the super ripe plantain caramelizes when fried so the flavor is even sweeter and more delicious. Chop off the ends and remove the peel.

Step 4 of 8

Then slice at an angle as shown above.

Step 5 of 8

Drop pieces into hot oil.

Step 6 of 8

Fry on both sides until dark golden color. Then remove from the oil and drain on a paper towel.

Step 7 of 8

The longer you fry them, the darker and sweeter they will be. I left some in the oil for longer to show you. This is how I like them!

Step 8 of 8

But most folks like them golden colored so I pulled these out of the oil before the darker ones in the previous picture. Sprinkle with salt and serve as a side dish or snack. Enjoy!

You're Done

Check out other guides by this author!

Felicia Gustin

Bay Area, California USA

I love to create! All kinds of things. Food, crafts, jewelry, art, photos, theater, events, history, social justice. My proudest creation is my daughter!

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Plantains

Vegetable Oil

Salt to taste

Thanks, Alina. This version is definitely sweeter so hope you get a chance to try these too!

Felicia Gustin (author) last week

I haven't tried cooking them in ghee, I've tried ghee for cooking other things and it's really smelly :P I just fried some yellow ones last night using your tostones recipe and they were delicious! Thanks again for all your great guides :)

Alina Alina last week

Wow William, growing plantains in Oregon?! That's great! I bet using homegrown will be even tastier!

Felicia Gustin (author) 3 months ago

Yes, these are very good! I've had them in Uganda and was surprised to find out that there are many varieties of plantains as well as bananas. I'm growing a variety of plantain from Puerto Rico that can be eaten as a banana when ripe.

William Read 3 months ago

Personally I've never worked with ghee so not sure it will work. It might since it can be used like oil. Let me know how it works if you do try it, Alina. @ Claire, so glad you like this guide.

Felicia Gustin (author) 4 months ago

Hello guys, can I use ghee for frying it? Would it give it a better flavour?

Alina Alina 4 months ago

I absolutely love plantains of all sorts! Great guide and thanks for sharing!

Claire Hesseltine 7 months ago

Oh dear,that makes me feel at home Felicia

Nat Addo 10 months ago

So true Nat - the African influence is so strong in Cuba, especially in the culture and the food.

Felicia Gustin (author) 10 months ago

Hahahaa,I love it my dear friends,it is an African dish,thanks for bringing it up!

Nat Addo 10 months ago

I've been making these for 20 years. Yummy! Thsnks

Jan Collado 10 months ago

@ Debra - that sounds yummy too!

Felicia Gustin (author) 10 months ago

I do this, then put them back in the pan with just butter, brown sugar and vanilla. Cook a few more minutes. Heaven !!

Debra Racino 10 months ago

I use canola but any vegetable oil will do. Or you can go really old school and use lard 😉 !

Felicia Gustin (author) 10 months ago

What kind of oil do you recommend?

Chris Cassell 10 months ago

Love 'em

Mr. Food-Traveler Pedersen 10 months ago

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Actually I think we should be thanking the world for sharing plantains with us. After all it's amazing that they've traveled from Asia to Africa to the Americas and beyond! I bet you could put together a whole cookbook on recipes of plantains from around the world. But it probably wouldn't sell because they just don't get no respect! Safe travels bro!

Felicia Gustin (author) 10 months ago

I traveled Dom. Rep. where we ate a lot of them. Also cooked or as mashed potatoes. Love it! Thanks for sharing plantains with the world. Plantains are full of love and very underestimated in my opinion!

Mr. Food-Traveler Pedersen 10 months ago

Maybe you'll find some in your travels?! 😘

Felicia Gustin (author) 10 months ago

Arrgh! Send me!

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