Jamaican Fried Ripe Plantain
In short: Ripe plantain slices fried in a little oil until caramelized and golden outside, soft and sweet inside. The everyday side for rice and stew. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 10 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 260 kcal
Fried ripe plantain is one of the most common sides on a Jamaican plate, next to rice and peas, jerk, brown stew chicken, curry goat or ackee and saltfish. The plantains must be very ripe, with skins that are mostly black and fruit that gives under gentle pressure, so their natural sugar caramelizes into dark golden edges. A little salt after frying sharpens the sweetness. It takes about ten minutes and needs just three ingredients.
Instructions
- Trim the ends of the plantains and cut a shallow slit through the peel along each one. Peel off the skin.
- Slice the plantains on a diagonal into pieces about 1.5 cm (1/2 inch) thick.
- Heat the oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat until it shimmers. A test slice should sizzle gently.
- Add the slices in a single layer without crowding. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until deep golden brown and caramelized at the edges.
- Drain on paper towels, sprinkle with the salt and serve hot.
Tips
- Keep the heat at medium, not high. The sugar in ripe plantain burns fast, leaving a bitter outside and a firm middle.
- If your plantains are still yellow, leave them in a paper bag at room temperature for a few days until the skin is mostly black.
Questions and answers
How ripe should plantains be for frying?
The skins should be mostly black with a little yellow, and the fruit should feel soft. Yellow plantains with green tips taste starchy and fry up pale.
Can I bake or air fry plantains instead?
Yes. Brush the slices with oil and bake at 220°C (425°F) for 20 to 25 minutes, turning once, or air fry at 190°C (375°F) for 8 to 10 minutes. They will be less caramelized than pan-fried slices.
What do you serve with fried plantain?
In Jamaica it goes with rice and peas and any stewed, curried or jerk meat, with ackee and saltfish, or beside escovitch fish. It also works as a snack on its own.
How long does it take to make Jamaican Fried Ripe Plantain?
About 15 min in total: 5 min of preparation and 10 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Jamaican Fried Ripe Plantain?
About 260 kcal per serving, with 2 g of protein, 49 g of carbohydrates and 7 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 260 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 49 g |
| Fat | 7 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 22 g |
| Sodium | 150 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
