Ingredients
Fruit
- 6ripe bananas, or 4 ripe plantains
To fry
- palm oil or any neutral oil, for shallow frying
Optional
- a pinch of salt
- a little sugar
- a squeeze of lime
To serve
- hot, on their own or alongside a stew
Directions
- Use fruit that is fully ripe, with skins well spotted or largely black. The flesh should be soft but not liquid, since fruit that has gone too far falls apart in the oil.
- Cut them into diagonal slices about a centimetre thick, or lengthways into strips.
- Keep the pieces even so they cook at the same rate. For soft bananas, cut them thicker or leave them whole and halved lengthways, since thin slices disintegrate.
- Heat it to a moderate temperature, around 170°C, rather than as hot as it will go. Test with one slice, which should sizzle steadily rather than spitting violently.
- Fry for two or three minutes until the underside is deep golden with dark caramelised edges. Turn them once, carefully, and cook the other side.
- Turn them only once and gently, since ripe fruit breaks up easily under a spatula. They are done when they are golden brown outside and completely soft within.
- Lift them out with a slotted spoon and drain them briefly. A small pinch of salt over the hot slices sharpens the sweetness considerably. Serve them hot, since they go soft and greasy as they cool.
Technique
- Plantain holds its shape where dessert banana collapses.
- Red palm oil is common in São Tomé and gives a distinct flavour.
- A pinch of salt sharpens the sweetness.
Substitutions
- Plantain in place of banana, for a firmer result.
- Any neutral oil in place of palm oil.
Variations
- Coated in batter, as a fritter.
- Fried in palm oil, which is traditional.
- Served with a squeeze of lime.
Frequently asked questions
What is Fried banana?
Fried banana is a snack from São Tomé and Príncipe: ripe bananas or plantains fried golden, everyday treat.
How long does Fried banana take to make?
Fried banana takes 10 min of preparation and 15 min of cooking. The recipe makes 4 servings. It is rated easy to make.
What can I substitute in Fried banana?
Yes, within limits. Plantain in place of banana, for a firmer result. Any neutral oil in place of palm oil.
What is the most important thing to get right in Fried banana?
Heat it to a moderate temperature, around 170°C, rather than as hot as it will go. Test with one slice, which should sizzle steadily rather than spitting violently.
