How to make Sweet Plantains Canoes
To make sweet plantain canoes, follow these steps:
1. Choose ripe plantains: Look for plantains that have a yellow skin with black spots all over. Ripe plantains are sweeter and easier to work with.
2. Slice the plantains: Cut off the ends of the plantains and make a shallow lengthwise cut along the skin, ensuring that you don't pierce the flesh. Then, use your fingers to peel off the skin.
3. Create a canoe shape: Cut the peeled plantains in half lengthwise and carve out a small portion from the center of each piece to create a hollowed-out canoe shape.
4. Fry the plantains: Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Carefully place the plantain canoes in the hot oil and fry until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes on each side.
5. Remove excess oil: Once the plantains are cooked through and crispy, transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to absorb any excess oil.
6. Sweeten the canoes: Generously sprinkle the plantain canoes with sugar while they are still hot. The heat will help the sugar stick to the surface, enhancing the sweetness.
7. Serve and enjoy: Sweet plantain canoes can be enjoyed on their own as a delicious snack or served as a side dish with your favorite main course.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make sweet plantain canoes:
Step 1: Choose ripe plantains- Look for plantains that are yellow with dark spots on the skin. This indicates that they are ripe and sweet.
Step 2: Peel the plantains- Using a knife, make a shallow cut lengthwise along the skin of the plantain. Carefully peel off the skin, ensuring not to cut into the flesh of the plantain.
Step 3: Slice the plantains- Once peeled, cut the plantains in half lengthwise, creating two long halves.
Step 4: Preheat a skillet- Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan.
Step 5: Fry the plantain canoes- Once the oil is hot, carefully place the plantain halves in the skillet, cut side down. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until golden brown, then flip them over and cook for another 3-4 minutes or until golden brown on the other side.
Step 6: Mash the plantains- Remove the fried plantain canoes from the skillet and place them on a cutting board. Using a fork or a potato masher, gently mash the flesh of the plantain until it has a smooth consistency.
Step 7: Serve and enjoy- Sweet plantain canoes are usually served as a side dish or a dessert. You can eat them as is, or you can drizzle them with a little honey or sprinkle them with cinnamon for added sweetness.
And that's it! You have successfully made sweet plantain canoes. Enjoy!
To make Sweet Plantain Canoes, you will need the following ingredients:
- Ripe plantains (look for plantains that have turned mostly black)
- Cooking oil (such as vegetable or canola oil)
- Sweet toppings of your choice (common options include honey, cinnamon, brown sugar, or condensed milk)
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make Sweet Plantain Canoes:
1. Start by peeling the plantains. Cut off the ends and make a shallow slit lengthwise along the skin. Gently peel the skin off the plantains.
2. Slice the plantains lengthwise into halves, and then slice each half in half again, creating long, thin pieces. The size will depend on your preference, but aim for consistent sizes so that they cook evenly.
3. Heat a pan or skillet on medium heat and add enough cooking oil to cover the bottom. You can also use a deep fryer if you have one.
4. Carefully place the plantain slices into the heated oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook the plantains in batches if necessary.
5. Fry the plantains until they turn golden brown on one side, then flip them using a spatula to cook the other side. This should take about 2-3 minutes per side. Adjust the heat as needed to avoid burning.
6. Once both sides are cooked, remove the plantains from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
7. While still hot, use the back of a spoon or a knife to press down the center of each plantain slice gently, creating a "canoe" shape. Be careful not to press too hard, as you don't want to break the plantain.
8. Fill the indentations of the plantains with your desired sweet toppings. Drizzle honey, sprinkle cinnamon, add a pinch of brown sugar, or pour condensed milk. Feel free to get creative and mix and match different flavors.
9. Serve the Sweet Plantain Canoes warm as a dessert or side dish. They are delicious on their own or can be paired with ice cream or whipped cream for an extra indulgence.
And that's it! You now have homemade Sweet Plantain Canoes. Enjoy your delectable treat!