Reader Mailbag: Fried Plantains, Anyone?

Dear Girl Friday,

I found your blog and thought maybe you could help me with something. I was born and raised in Minneapolis and have just moved back after living in New York City for the past few years. In New York I lived near several Colombian restaurants and they turned me on to sweet plantains. I'm wondering if there's a place in Minneapolis that serves them up right? I would guess that Sabor Latino, the Ecuadoran restaurant on Central Avenue would have them but I caught a glimpse of their menu online and it doesn't mention maduros. Do you have any ideas where I can get good sweet plantains fried to perfection?

Beth

Oh boy do I. 

In Northeast, you can grab a side of fried sweet plantains at Brasa.  Some things there are hit or miss for me, but the maduros are always good.

But my absolute favorite place to get fried sweet plantains is Victor's 1959 Cafe.  And don't limit yourself to just one plantain dish while you're there!  They also fry up green plantains, or tostones, crispy and salty and drizzled with Victor's lime juice "mojo."  The nearby El Meson also serves up an appetizer of green plantains.

It looks like Sabor Latino has green plantains but not sweet plantains.  (Although I've discovered that a lot of small ethnic restaurants might have what you're looking for somewhere back in the kitchen, but just not on the menu.)  Fogo de Chao offers fried green plantains as one of the gratis appetizers with dinner, and Julio tipped me off to the green plantains at Puerta Azul, the Puerto Rican restaurant in St. Paul.

So what's with all the green plantains everywhere but not so much with the sweet ones?  Beats me, but I don't go into Andean restaurants very often (my vegetarianism can be troubling).  I actually prefer my plantains green; they're starchier, less sweet and fry up quite nicely.  But I still like a nice ripened one every now and then.

Watch for the comments in this blog post, as one of my amazing readers will undoubtedly come up with someplace spectacular for you to check out.  I also started a "fried plantains" tag on vita.mn, so keep an eye out for that.

Comments

[Rich G.]

I believe the problem is availability. The supply chain is set up for NYC and L.A., but because sweet plantains are already ripe, they rot in a hurry.

[Mykel]

I've had some pretty spectacular fried plantains at Babalu. I don't necessarily see them on the menu now though...

[Alexis]

I edited vita.mn's "fried plantain" tag wiki to explain what plantains are for anyone who isn't sure. I also linked to some easy recipes to try at home. Really, all you need is a frying pan and some oil for the sweet ones, adding salt and a lemon or lime if you're frying green plantains.

Since sweet plantains are just ripened green plantains, I'm guessing certain restaurants would have some sweet ones back in the kitchen somewhere if green ones are on the menu. Never hurts to ask.

[beth]

I actually made sweet plaintains at home last night. It was actually alot easier than I expected--I've had maduros at restaurants that have been dry or hard (mind you, in NYC). Just make sure you keep an eye on the heat! You can buy green plantains and let them sit until they turn black, then fry them (which is why the above supply chain comment kinda doesn't make sense, and why just asking a restaurant if they can whip them up is a good point). I definitely want to check out Puerta Azul and Victor's 1959 Cafe, though...

[sarah buckley]

Fogo De Chao not good...not good at all!!! Sicker than sick!!! Both Brad and I threw up after.... I have stopped eating meat and this can be directly tied to that evening, that and the needless murder of animals.

[Amber]

As someone who usually goes for and wholeheartedly loves the standard "eggs/hashbrowns/bacon" breakfast, I have to stand up and shout that Victor's is also most excellent for breakfast. Best, if you ARE hesitant to try plantains, the breakfast is served up with food you already know you like. Comfort with a side of courage...can't lose.

[chuck]

Damn, y'alls making me hungry!

I love breakfast at Victor's. Have to return soon. Thanks to Julio for turning us on to Puerta Azul, which I didn't know existed.

[Matthew Hegge]

I second (or third) Victor's. The first time I went it was such a pleasant surprise and a fun time! Gotta get back there!

[Jeremy]

West Indies Soul, on Uni, has fried Plantains.

[Alexis]

Oh right, I knew that. I had them at the West Indies Soul booth at the State Fair and they were terrible. But, you know, State Fair food is so hit or miss.