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    Home » Side Dish » Healthy Fried Plantains

    Published: Jan 25, 2018 · Modified: Oct 29, 2018 by Desarae

    Healthy Fried Plantains

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Everywhere we ate there were plantains at every meal. Most of the time they were boiled and I didn't care too much for them, until we ate at a 200 year old restaurant. It has been run by the same family all these years! When we ate there it was full of locals, walking chickens, iguanas. The grandma was cooking in the kitchen and her grandson was serving us. When be brought us our food it was delicious! My very favorite was the fried plantains and homemade cheese.

    An overhead shot of Healthy Fried Plantains in a bowl

    Holy crap I was in heaven! He told us about the house, and about his family- the Aguilar family. He said the cheese we were eating was made from scratch by his grandmother. It was amazing. the cheese had a squeaky cheese texture, but a rich salty creamy flavor.

    A photo of a house with trees and grass around it

    Picking the right plantain

    Since we have plantains here un the US recreating that part of the recipe is easy. Plantains are larger and firmer than bananas but look similar. They are often green in the store. Unlike bananas they reach their full ripeness when they are turning brown (usually were using banana for banana bread at this stage).

    I tested out fried plantains at several different stages. When you make them at the brown stage of the peel the plantain will have a strong banana flavor and be very sweet. I personally like mine right before it hits that brown stage. I like them to have the great flavor but not too sweet.

    Ingredients for making Healthy Fried Plantains on a wooden board

    How to make fried plantains

    1.You'll need a white squeaky cheese. Queso fresco will work, but if you have a local store that has amazing white cheese that isn't as grainy go for that!.

    2. Plantains.

    3. A great sea salt. This is important! I love Redmonds Realsalt

    4.Coconut oil.

    Someone chopping plantains on a wooden board

    Start by cutting your plantains diagonal, so that they are longer. you can also cut them into strips. You want then to be thin, but not too thin. ¼ of an inch is perfect.

    Chopped Plantains and their skins on a wooden board

    In a fry pan heat a couple of tablespoons of coconut oil till its very hot. The oil will swirl around the pan like water. Fry each plantain on each side for just a few minutes. Set them out on a rack or paper towel for just a minute to let the oil drip off.

    Healthy Fried Plantains on a cooling rack

    Slice your cheese into thin rectangles and place on top of the warm plantains.

    Healthy Fried Plantains on a wooden cutting board

    Why SALT?

    After you've topped the plantains with the cheese you'll want to sprinkle a little bit of your best sea salt. Why sea salt? The salt on these fried plantains makes the flavor enhance 10x better. With the salt you can taste the sweetness of the plantain, the creaminess of the cheese, the nuttiness from the fruit and the sweet lingering taste of coconut. Before salt it all tastes a little more bland.

    My favorite sea salt is Redmond RealSalt. It's mined here in the US, and had many other minerals and vitamins in it. I've taste tested it against several different types and brands of sea salt and this is hands down my families favorite. I can't promote this salt enough. It's incredible.

    [show_shopthepost_widget id="3002696"]

    Nutrition Facts
    Fried Plantians
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 171 Calories from Fat 117
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 13g20%
    Saturated Fat 11g69%
    Sodium 1mg0%
    Potassium 223mg6%
    Carbohydrates 14g5%
    Fiber 1g4%
    Sugar 6g7%
    Vitamin A 505IU10%
    Vitamin C 8.3mg10%
    Iron 0.3mg2%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Healthy Fried Plantains on a brown cutting board with a small jar of real salt

    This post is part of a series featuring several other dishes I experience on my trip to Costa Rica. Here are some more recipes you HAVE to try also from this Costa Rica food series!!

    Chicken Roll-Up's

    Pressure Cooker bone-in chicken

    Citrus Slaw

    Pressure Cooker Black Beans

    Healthy Fried Plantains

    Healthy Fried Plantains in a bowl with rice and vegetables

    Fried Plantians

    Delicious and easy fried plantains, great as an appetizer, snack or addition to salads.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: African
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 171kcal
    Author: Kadee & Desarae

    Ingredients

    • 4 Tablespoon coconut oil
    • 1-2 ripe plantains
    • sea salt
    • queso fresco or other white squeaky cheese

    Instructions

    • Heat coconut oil until very hot. It's consistency will thin out to be more like water. 
    • Prepare plantains by peeling and slicing diagonally into ¼ inch thick slices.
    • Place in hot oil, a couple of minutes on each side. If oil starts to smoke turn down immediately and remove from heat. Let oil cool and then return to burner and finish cooking.
    • Cook plantains on both sides until the edges are golden brown. Remove from oil and place on rack or paper towel. Top with queso fresco and sea salt. eat immediately. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 171kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 223mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 505IU | Vitamin C: 8.3mg | Iron: 0.3mg
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Emily Kemp says

      July 24, 2018 at 7:36 am

      5 stars
      This is something I am dying to try...gorgeous photos!

      Reply

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