Island Living - Sweet Fried Plantains

I am in St. Thomas for a few days visiting friends. Besides the beaches, warm nights, tropical plants and laid back lifestyle - I am relearning about many foods I love. On the menu for dinner tonight are sweet fried plantains. I have always wanted to find a good recipe and learn how to cook them right. Luckily the local farmers helped me pick out the ripest of the bunch. Here is a recipe from Gourmet magazine.

Ingredients
4 firm-ripe plantains
vegetable oil for deep-frying

With a small sharp knife cut ends from each plantain and halve crosswise. Cut a lengthwise slit through skin along inside curve. Beginning in center of slit pry skin from plantain and with rippled blade of a mandoline or decorating knife cut flesh crosswise into 1/8-inch-thick slices.

In a deep fryer or large deep skillet heat 1 1/2 inches oil to 375°F. on a deep-fat thermometer and fry 12 to 15 plantain slices at a time, turning them, 2 to 3 minutes, or until golden, transferring as fried with a skimmer or slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. Season plantain slices with salt. (Plantain slices should be slightly crisp on outside but soft on inside.) Plantain slices are best served immediately but may be made 1 day ahead, cooled completely, and kept in an air-tight container. Reheat plantain slices on a rack in a shallow baking pan in a preheated 350°F. oven 5 minutes, or until heated through.

Read More http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Fried-Plantains-10024#ixzz20doEWy7i