Three Guys From Miami Recipe: Plátanos Dulce

Plátanos Dulce – Sweet Plantains

Jorge: Ah, the plantain, the miracle fruit of Cuban cuisine.

Raúl: Eat it green and it is a starchy vegetable, like a potato.

Glenn: But wait until it is ripe and very black – so black you'll be tempted to throw them out – and it is as sweet as candy!

Jorge: This recipe is a favorite of people who end up with many very ripe plantains lying around. It’s a great way to use them.

Raúl: For many people, this is a side dish. However, we enjoy this as a delicious dessert with vanilla ice cream.

4 extremely ripe plantains
2 ounces light Bacardi rum
1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350º.

Place the plantains in a covered baking dish that you have thoughtfully greased with butter. Drizzle rum on plantains. Slice the butter into 12 squares and place these on top of the plantains.

Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon in a generous layer on top of the plantains.

Cover and bake 20 to 25 minutes. Turn the plantains over, spoon some of the delicious sugar syrup over the top, and continue baking, uncovered, for about 15 minutes. This will allow the plantains to turn golden brown.

Serve plain or better yet, throw all dietary cautions to the wind and serve over a dish of rich vanilla ice cream.

Serves 4

Ingredients

Recipe and editorial content from the book: "Three Guys From Miami Celebrate Cuban"