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Sweet Plantain Fritters

4.3

(11)

Image may contain Confectionery Food Sweets Bread and Fried Chicken
Photo by Romulo Yanes

Inspired by American Adobo

In this 2001 film, a group of Filipino-American college friends get together to eat and share stories about their loves and lives. Their experiences of assimilating to American society vary, but all of the characters recognize their need for the comfort derived from friendship and familiar foods.

For this dish, be sure your plaintains are completely black, since the fruit becomes sweeter as it ripens. (Yellow or mottled brown plantains are very starchy and usually take about a week to fully ripen.) Serve these fritters as a snackor pair them with ice cream for a delicious dessert.

Cooks' note:

To take the temperature of a shallow amount of oil with a metal flat-framed deep-fat thermometer, put bulb of thermometer in skillet and turn thermometer facedown, resting other end (not plastic handle) against rim of skillet. Check temperature frequently.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    30 min

  • Yield

    Makes 6 dessert or 12 snack servings

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup water
1 large egg, lightly beaten
4 very ripe (completely black) plantains (2 1/2 lb)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
About 2 cups vegetable oil

Special Equipment

a deep-fat thermometer

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Whisk together flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl, then add water and egg and whisk until batter is smooth.

    Step 2

    Peel plantains and cut on a slight diagonal into 1/2-inch pieces. Stir into batter to coat well.

    Step 3

    Stir together granulated sugar and cinnamon in a shallow bowl.

    Step 4

    Heat 1/2 inch oil in a 10-inch heavy skillet over moderate heat until thermometer registers 340°F. (See cooks' note, below.) Fry plantain slices in batches of 6 (don't crowd them) until bottoms are golden, about 45 seconds, then turn over and fry until other side of each is golden, 30 to 45 seconds more. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.

    Step 5

    While still warm, toss each batch in sugar mixture until coated, then transfer to a platter. Serve hot or warm.

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