Plantains

[JellySlice]

I bought a couple. But I haven't a clue what to do with them! Any recommendations?

I had a look online, and fried sounds nice, but I don't fry.

Wait until they are nearly all black (and look over ripe)

Peel, cut into rounds, rinse, salt, fry.

If you don't have a deep fat frier you can just use a frying pan.

They are sweet and savoury and delicious. And now I want some

But I don't fry.

You can also boil them (in their skins).

I've only ever fried them.
They're delicious.

I don't like fried food too much either, but male exception for plantain. I've tried boiled and I didn't like it at all, although some say it's still nice.

This recipe uses two plantains and the leftovers are great for lunch the next day www.bbc.com/food/recipes/jollof_rice_with_fried_84889
Alternatively you can grill them www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1856/pippas-perfect-plantains

Just out of interest, why don't you fry? Is it for health reasons?

I see fried plantain as a treat and eat if v rarely as we live in a part of the UK where I can't find them (so pick some up when I visit London/a bigger city)

I luuuuuuurve fried food. But, no, it doesn't love me. I'm also an utter disaster at frying most things. I always get the pan either too hot (food burnt outside, raw inside) or too cold (oil-soaked food). Plus the clean-up afterwards! Does everybody have to wash the floor after frying?

Most things that are fried can be put in hot oil in the oven. I have not tried it with plantain but have with a lot of other things.

So follow the instructions given above and then put on a baking tray drizzled with oil and put on high for 20 mins - check after 10 i case they have already cooked and to turn them.

Pan fried with sausage, black pudding, eggs, mushrooms and beans for breakfast.

Put plains in a large microwave safe bowl
And cover with plenty of water. Heat in microwave until the skin of the plantain splits. Drain, peel and mash the plantain and season with salt and pepper - add a tablespoon of oil and lemon too and mix. Serve.

Above recipe is best for green plantains - not sure how it would taste with the ones that have ripens to almost black.

I once had a mutton stew with plantains. I don't remember whether they were cooked with the mutton or separately, but they were definitely stewed, and I seem to recall that the sauce was a dark yellowish colour, thick and full of veg and mild spice. And it was heavenly.

They are pretty hanging unless they are fried