HEALTHY SWEET PLANTAINS
I had to wait patiently for days for my plantains to ripen. The skins needed time to change from light green to black. This recipe is so delicious that it was worth the wait! I created a healthy version of "Plátanos Maduros" which will satisfy any sweet tooth. For even more sweetness you could serve them with banana "nice cream."
You can find recipes for making a variety of “nice cream” flavors at “Chocolate Covered Katie” recipe blog: Banana Ice Cream Recipes. Avoid recipes using less healthy ingredients such as canned coconut milk and coconut butter.
Ingredients
2 very ripened plantains, skins black
1/2 cup date syrup
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
Peel and slice the plantains. Line a baking dish with parchment paper and place the slices in the dish. I gently mashed them a bit so there was more surface area to caramelize (it probably would have been fine either way) or cut them at an angle to begin with.
Measure out 1/2 cup of date syrup (I made my own but you can purchase it) and whisk in the cinnamon and vanilla.
Pour the spiced date syrup over the plantains and bake at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes each side.
If desired, to get them more caramelized, you can either place under the broiler for the last 5 minutes, flipping over as needed or move them to a nonstick pan on the stove top. I chose to finish them on the stove top so I could monitor them more easily. I sauteed them on low medium heat at least 5 minutes each side until they became a nice golden brown color.
