Plátanos Fritos con Natilla y Queso
A beloved Costa Rican side dish or snack, featuring sweet, ripe plantains that are fried until caramelized and served with a dollop of creamy natilla (sour cream) and grated cheese. It's a simple yet satisfying combination of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors.
🧂 Ingredients
- 4 large Ripe plantains(peeled and sliced diagonally into 1/2-inch thick pieces)
- 0.5 cup Vegetable oil(for frying)
- 0.5 cup Natilla(Costa Rican-style sour cream)
- 0.5 cup Queso blanco(grated, or other mild white cheese)
- 0.25 tsp Salt(optional, for sprinkling)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Ensure plantains are ripe (yellow with black spots) for maximum sweetness.
💡 Tip: Underripe plantains will be starchy and less sweet. - 2
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. The oil should be hot but not smoking.
💡 Tip: A good test is to drop a small piece of plantain; it should sizzle immediately. - 3
Carefully add the sliced plantains to the hot oil in a single layer, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry in batches if necessary.
⏱️ 3-4 minutes per side💡 Tip: Fry until golden brown and caramelized on both sides. - 4
Remove fried plantains from the skillet using a slotted spoon and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
💡 Tip: This step is crucial for achieving a less greasy texture. - 5
Arrange the fried plantains on a serving platter.
💡 Tip: Serve warm for the best experience. - 6
Dollop each plantain slice with natilla and sprinkle with grated queso blanco.
💡 Tip: Adjust the amount of natilla and cheese to your liking. - 7
Optionally, sprinkle with a tiny pinch of salt to enhance the sweet and savory contrast.
💡 Tip: This is a matter of personal preference.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The ripeness of the plantains is key to the sweetness and texture.
- ✓Don't over-fry, or the plantains can become too hard.
- ✓If natilla is unavailable, thick sour cream can be a substitute, though the flavor will differ slightly.
🔄 Variations
- Serve with a side of black beans for a more substantial snack.
- Drizzle with a little honey or condensed milk for extra sweetness.
- Add a sprinkle of cinnamon for a warm spice note.