Burundian Fried Plantains (Served with Beans)
In short: Ripe plantain slices fried in hot oil until golden and caramelized at the edges, the classic partner to red beans in Burundi. It takes about 25 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 15 min
- Total
- 25 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 380 kcal
Fried plantain is the side dish that turns a plate of red beans into a proper Burundian meal. Slices of ripe but firm plantain are fried until the edges caramelize and the centers turn soft and sweet, then salted lightly. The sweetness is a good contrast to the savory, chili-spiked beans. It is also eaten on its own as a snack, or with grilled fish and pili-pili.
Instructions
- Cut the ends off each plantain and slit the skin lengthwise. Peel it off, then slice the plantains on a diagonal into pieces about 1.5 cm (1/2 in) thick.
- Heat the oil in a wide frying pan over medium heat until a slice sizzles when it touches the oil, about 175°C (350°F).
- Fry the slices in a single layer for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until deep golden and caramelized at the edges. Work in 2 or 3 batches.
- Lift out onto paper towels and sprinkle with the salt while still hot.
- Serve straight away, beside beans, fish or on their own.
Tips
- Ripeness is everything. Yellow with black spots gives sweet, caramelized plantain, while green plantain gives starchy chips, and fully black gives a mushy result.
- Do not crowd the pan or the plantain steams instead of fries. Keep the heat at medium so the sugars brown without burning.
Questions and answers
Can I bake plantains instead of frying?
Yes. Toss the slices in 1 tablespoon of oil and bake at 220°C (425°F) for 20 minutes, turning once.
How do I peel plantains easily?
Cut off the ends, slit the skin along its length and pull it off in strips. A little oil on your hands helps with sticky skin.
What do I serve with fried plantains?
Red beans, grilled fish, stews or pili-pili sauce. They are also good as a snack with a squeeze of lime.
How long does it take to make Burundian Fried Plantains (Served with Beans)?
About 25 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Burundian Fried Plantains (Served with Beans)?
About 380 kcal per serving, with 2 g of protein, 62 g of carbohydrates and 15 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 380 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 62 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 28 g |
| Sodium | 300 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
