Kelewele

If you are familiar with this blog, you may have noticed that I love plantains. I can't help it...they're so tasty and versatile! Over the past few months, I've learned of so many different ways to use them, so much so that I think I'll actually create a special category just for plantains, lol.

When I make plantains, depending on whether they're ripe or green, I usually just season them with a sprinkling of salt...maybe some garlic or nutmeg at the most, so I found the idea of Kelewele pretty interesting.

Kelewele are Ghanaian-style spiced fried plantains: ripe yellow plantains that are generously seasoned with ginger and other warm spices like cayenne and cinnamon. If you're someone who enjoys the combo of spicy, salty, and sweet flavors...then this is the prefect snack for you!

Kelewele

4-5 ripe, but firm plantains

Wet Spice Mixture
2 tablespoons grated ginger ( or 1 teaspoon ginger powder)
juice of 1/2 a lemon or lime, ~ 2 tablespoons
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Dry Spice Mixture
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
pinch of allspice

Oil for frying


Peel and split the plantains lengthwise, then cut into 1/2 inch chunks.

Combine the ingredients for the dry spice mixture and set aside.


Marinate
Mash the salt, cayenne, ginger, and juice together into a paste, and toss with the plantain chunks to coat.

You can add the rest of the dry spices at this point, or you can sprinkle them over the freshly fried plantain. Marinating the plantains with everything will yield a stronger, spicier flavor...so if you'd like to add all or some of the dry spice mixture at this stage, it's totally up to your taste...

Marinate the plantains for around 20 minutes, but longer is even better :o)

In a sturdy pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat for a few minutes...
Once the oil is shimmering, add the seasoned plantains in small batches, stirring as they hit the oil to prevent clumping.


Deep-fry until golden brown and drain on absorbent paper.

While still hot, sprinkle with the dry spice mixture.

Kelewele can be served either as a side dish, or can be eaten alone or mixed with peanuts as a snack.

I decided to have the kelewele with Red-Red, which will be my next post!

Enjoy! :o)