Loco with Plantains
Loco is a flavorful dish made with fried plantains or green bananas, sautéed onions, and often enriched with palm oil, offering a sweet and savory taste experience. It's a popular side dish or a light meal, showcasing the importance of plantains in Equatoguinean cuisine.
🧂 Ingredients
- 3 medium Ripe plantains(or 4 very green bananas, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces)
- 5 tbsp Red palm oil(or vegetable oil if palm oil is unavailable)
- 1 medium Yellow onion(chopped)
- 1 Maggi stock cube(crumbled (optional))
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
👨‍🍳 Instructions
- 1
Melt 2 tablespoons of palm oil over a medium flame in a large skillet.
đź’ˇ Tip: If using red palm oil, be aware of its strong color and flavor. - 2
Add the chopped onion and sauté until golden brown. Remove the onions from the skillet and set aside.
đź’ˇ Tip: The palm oil will make the onions appear bright yellow. - 3
Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of palm oil to the skillet. Add the plantain or green banana pieces.
đź’ˇ Tip: Ensure the oil is hot enough to fry the plantains properly. - 4
Sauté the plantain pieces on both sides until golden brown and slightly softened.
đź’ˇ Tip: For green bananas, they will be firmer and less sweet than ripe plantains. - 5
Return the sautéed onions to the skillet with the plantains. Season with salt, black pepper, and crumbled Maggi stock cube (if using).
đź’ˇ Tip: Mix everything gently to combine. - 6
Cook for another 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through.
đź’ˇ Tip: Serve immediately as a side dish or a light meal.
đź’ˇ Pro Tips
- âś“Using green bananas will result in a less sweet and firmer texture compared to ripe plantains.
- âś“If red palm oil is unavailable, regular vegetable oil can be used, though it will alter the color and flavor profile slightly.
- âś“This dish is best enjoyed fresh.
🔄 Variations
- Add a pinch of chili flakes for a hint of spice.
- Serve with a side of grilled fish or chicken.