Puerto Rican Maduros Sweet Plantains Recipes

CANOAS DE PLATANOS MADUROS (SWEET PLANTAIN CANOES)

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
• Combine, beef, onion, pepper, garlic, cilantro, adobo, oregano, vinegar and sazon. Mix well.
• Heat a large skillet at medium-high heat with 2 Tbs of olive oil, add meat mixture.
• Cook beef until brown and of the juices bubble up, add bay leaves, olives, raisins and tomato sauce. Mix and let simmer for 10 minutes, set aside.
• Heat a large frying pan with about 2 inches of vegetable oil, just enough to cover the plantains. Fry plantains for 8 - 10 minutes or until golden and slitely crispy. Drain on a plate with paper towel, set aside.
• To assemble canoas: when the plantains are cool enough to handle, cut a slit down the inside curve of the plantain. Using your knife and a fork, gently pry the plantain open until it opens and resembles a canoe. Fill the plantain with some shredded cheese, stuff with meat mixture and top with more shredded cheese. Transfer the stuffed plantains to a baking dish sprayed with non-stick spray.
• Bake in oven at 350 degrees for 15 - 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and browned. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve immediately.

MADUROS (FRIED SWEET PLANTAINS)

Steps:

• Use a paring knife to cut a slit along the length of the plantains, carefully avoiding cutting into the flesh. Remove peels and discard. Slice plantains at an angle crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick pieces (about 12 pieces per plantain).
• In a large skillet, heat about 1/8 inch vegetable oil over medium-high. When the oil shimmers, add half the sliced plantains and fry until golden brown, turning once, 2 to 3 minutes per side. The plantains should be caramelized and slightly crisp at the edges but still tender in the middle.
• Using a slotted spoon, transfer maduros to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Repeat with remaining sliced plantains. Serve immediately.

PUERTO RICAN MADUROS (SWEET PLANTAINS)

Steps:

• In a non-stick skillet over medium heat, melt butter.
• Add plantains in a single layer (you will have to do multiple batches). Cook plantains on each side, for about 2-3 minutes, or until they reach a caramelized brown color.
• Transfer to a plate covered with newspaper (or paper towels) and allow to drain for a minute or two. Then serve!

PUERTO RICAN PLANTAIN RECIPES: INCLUDING TOSTONES (FRIED GREEN PLANTAINS)

Steps:

• Start by peeling your plantains and cutting into 1 inch sections. Preheat your oil in a heavy bottomed skillet over medium heat.
• Once the oil is hot, gently add in your plantain chunks, making sure not to crown the pan too much. Your pan should have enough oil to almost cover the slices, so add more if needed. Fry the slices for 8-10 minutes, making sure to flip them until golden brown all around.
• Remove the slices and cool on a paper towel lined plate. Once the slices are cool, use a plate to smash the slices until they flatten just slightly. Make sure to not smash them too thin or they will break apart on the second fry.
• In a large bowl combine the water, lime juice, salt and adobo seasoning (optional). Gently add in the fried plantains and soak for 4-5 minutes before draining the water and patting dry with paper towels.
• Bring the oil back to high heat and add the smashed plantains back to the oil, frying for another 5 minutes or until crispy. Top with a sprinkle of salt and a squeeze of lime juice and enjoy!

PUERTO RICAN TOSTONES (FRIED PLANTAINS)

Steps:

• Peel the plantain and cut it into 1-inch chunks.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet. Place the plantains in the oil and fry on both sides,; approximately 3 1/2 minutes per side.
• Remove the plantains from the pan and flatten the plantains by placing a plate over the fried plantains and pressing down.
• Dip the plantains in water, then return them to the hot oil and fry 1 minute on each side. Salt to taste and serve immediately.

SWEET PLANTAINS

Steps:

• Peel and pit the avocado and scoop the flesh into the bowl of a food processor. Add the remaining ingredients, seasoning to taste with salt, and purée until smooth. Set aside while you fry the plantains.
• In a large pan over medium-high heat, heat ⅛ inch oil to 350°F. Add the plantains and cook, flipping every 3 minutes or so, until deeply golden brown, soft, and juicy, about 12 minutes total. Remove the fried plantains to a plate lined with paper towel, and sprinkle with salt.