Platanos Fritos  

(Fried Plantains)

This dish is made from a plant that is similar to the banana. It is only eaten cooked, never raw, and usually as a side dish accompanying a meal.    

1.Slice the outer skin of the plantain and place it in warm water.  This will loosen the skin and make it easy to peel.  Take the peeled plantains and cut them at an angle into 1/2 inch slices. 

2. Place the slices into a bowl that contains salted water and let them soak for 15 minutes.

3. Heat the oil until water skips across it. Don't let the oil smoke, it will be too hot and will set off your smoke detector. Fry the plantains until they are a deep golden color.

4. Let them cool slightly, then mash them between a layer of brown paper with the palm of your hand. Try not to smash them into oblivions!

5. Take the mashed plantains and dip them quickly into the salted water, then fry them again. Flip them over often so they don't burn and fry them until they're crispy and golden brown.

6. Drain them on a layer of 3 or 4 towels and serve immediately.

1. Place the garlic and salt into the morter and crush them together until you get a pastey mixture.

2. Put this into a bowl and add the oil mixing it in well.

3. Let this stand for about 10 minutes, then dip away

Winsome Thomas, Culinary Classics "Plus" The Abyssinian Baptist Church, New York City, NY