Plantain Kugel Recipe

By Sandy Leibowitz

(The Nosher via JTA) — One of the things I like most about plantains (also known as platanos, tostones or patacones) is that you can enjoy them through multiple stages of ripeness. When they are fully green, they have a higher starch content, which makes them ideal for frying — and subsequently makes some killer latkes. You can also turn  the green plantains into fries or chips.

When they start to turn yellow, plantains become easier to peel and sweeter. You can mash them like you would potatoes when you crave something a little different. At this stage, you can also roast them alongside your root vegetables.

When plantains are yellow and have black markings, they are fully ripe and taste like a regular banana that has been caramelized with a hint of maple syrup. At this stage they are delicious when fried because they are softer and melt in your mouth. They can be wrapped in lamb or beef bacon for that sweet and salty effect, or eaten straight up at the kitchen counter while the rest are frying. Not that I would ever do this of course.

Here, I decided to combine my Jewish and Latina heritages – as I often do – and make a Latin-infused kugel. This recipe makes a good portion for 6-8 people as a side dish, but if you want to double the recipe you can easily do so, just use a 9-by-13-inch pan instead of an 8- or 9-inch round pan. Feel free to mix up your favorite spices and herbs, as plantains really can take on many flavors.

Plantain Kugel Recipe

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Course Side

Cuisine Jewish, Latin American

Servings 6 people

Ingredients

  

• 6 plantains, yellowish-green shredded on the large holes of a box grater (or food processor)
• 4 eggs
• 1 red pepper peeled and minced
• 1 onion grated on the large holes of a box grater or food processor
• 4-5 garlic cloves minced
• 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 5 turns (approx.) freshly cracked black pepper (or to taste)
• 1/8 tsp. ground coriander
• 3/4 cup olive oil

Instructions

 

• Preheat the oven to 400 F.
• In a large bowl, mix your eggs, onion, garlic and seasoning, and fold in the shredded plantains. Allow to sit in fridge while you heat your olive oil.
• In round cast-iron pan (or round pie plate, but use a sheet pan underneath when putting in the oven), heat your olive oil in the oven until it bubbles around the back of a wooden spoon.
• Once the oil is heated, gently add your plantain mixture to the prepared pan. Spread evenly, and then place into the oven on the upper rack. (Use a sheet pan underneath if using a thinner metal or glass pan)
• After the edges begin to brown (about 25-30 minutes) lower the temperature to 300 F and cook until golden and crispy on top, around 10-15 minutes. You can rewarm later in a 200 F oven, if necessary.

Notes

(Sandy Leibowitz trained at the Culinary Institute of America and worked at top non-kosher restaurants in New York City such as the Russian Tea Room and Spice Market. Visit her at www.thekoshertomato.com and on instagram @thekoshertomato. Photo also by Sandy Leibowitz)

The Nosher food blog offers a dazzling array of new and classic Jewish recipes and food news, from Europe to Yemen, from challah to shakshuka and beyond. Check it out at www.TheNosher.com.

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