Fried Plantains (Dodo)

Ingredients

• Ripe plantains, yellow with black spots 4 large (about 1.1 kg; 750 g peeled)
• Vegetable oil, for shallow frying 250 ml
• Salt 0.75 tsp (4 g)
• Ground cayenne pepper (optional) 1 pinch
• Ground black pepper (optional) 1 pinch
• Tomato stew or fried eggs, to serve (optional) to serve

Instructions

1. 1

   Cut off both ends of each plantain, slit the peel lengthwise and pull it off.

2. 2

   Cut the plantains on a slant into slices about 1 cm thick, or into 1.5 cm cubes.

3. 3

   Sprinkle the slices with the salt and the cayenne and black pepper, if using, and toss gently.

4. 4

   Heat the oil in a wide frying pan to about 170C, deep enough to come halfway up the slices.

5. 5

   Fry the plantains in batches, without crowding, for 2-3 minutes per side until deep golden with dark caramelized edges.

6. 6

   Lift them out with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

7. 7

   Serve hot as a side with tomato stew, jollof rice, beans or fried eggs.