Fried Plantains with Guacamole
23. Oct, 2009 
15 Comments
A few years ago I saw a Good Eats episode featuring fried plantains. They looked and sounded so good, and I made a mental note that I’d have to try them someday. Cut to breakfast a few months ago at Hugo’s Restaurant. They were featuring a special that had plantains as part of the dish, and it was one of the best things I’ve ever had there.
Then back in September, I came across this post, and I’ve been thinking about making fried plantains ever since. The last picture in the post, of the salty plantains with the little bowl of guacamole was just too much to take.
So yesterday when I was at the store and saw some plantains, I knew what I had to do. I grabbed two, which turned out to be the perfect amount for this recipe, the one I’d seen so many years ago. (Or maybe it was months, I have no sense of time when it’s always the same temperature outside.)
I started out by making the guacamole. I used one avocado, because that’s all I had. I added about two tablespoons of chopped shallot, but I sometimes use red onion if I have that instead. I like my guacamole with LOTS of lime juice (or lemon, if that’s what happens to be in the fridge), so I used the juice of half a lime. It was a juicy one. Sometimes those limes are pretty dry, so just use enough for it to taste good to you. Then I added a generous pinch of sea salt. I mashed it all up, tasted it, and did a little dance because it was so good.
Then I prepped everything for the plantains and fried up them according to the recipe, though I think I could have mashed them a teensy bit more and let them go longer on the second fry to get a bit crisper. Even so, they were pretty amazing.
I’m going to make a bold statement now, but I feel that I have to do it… This was one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. The guacamole was perfect thanks to a great avocado (and lime, and shallots, and salt), and the fried plantains were perfection for a starch loving girl like me. It’s like a banana and a potato had a plantain baby, and then I got to fry it up, sprinkle it with salt and dip it in guacamole. Does it get any better than that?
I have never had plantains but now I want to try them. Looks yum!
That looks delicious. I’m another one who has yet to try plantain.
Kim, You have to make this when we are together. I love plaintains.
That doesn’t surprise me! We usually love all of the same foods (with a few exceptions…). I will definitely make these for you.
hi Kim! I’m so excited to know that my post inspired this one–your plantains look fantastic. Thanks for linking back to me and spreading the plantain love
Nishta @ BlueJeanGourmet
Hi, Nishta! Thanks for your inspiring post! I think I’ve discovered one of my new favorite food combos thanks to you!
I really do not like plantains of any variety or cooking method, but that guac sure looks tasty!
OMG i want this right now!!!!!!!! that looks amazing. i am way to clumsy to fry stuff, ugh jealous!
It does sound really good! I would never have thought to dip plantains in guacomole but I can totally see how that can work. Mmm guacomole…it has been too long since I have had any!
sounds awesome. i love guacamole!
Don’t forget your big sis who LOVES guac and anything fried – YUM! Let’s indulge next time we are together…delicious!
I LOVE plantains!
I made these plantains for the Superbowl and they were fantastic! I would cut them a little thinner that 1 inch next time I think but they really were amazing. I’ll definitely make them again.
Hey, Molly! I’m so glad you liked them! And I agree that thinner would probably better. I was just eyeing some plantains at the grocery store the other day, but I’m trying to hold back since I’ve been eating so much fried “chicken”!