Kelewele (Spiced Fried Plantain)

Name: Kelewele (Spiced Fried Plantain)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Ghana
Ingredients: 3 ripe plantains (yellow with plenty of black spots); 2 cm piece of fresh ginger, finely grated; 1 garlic clove, finely grated; 1/2 small onion, finely grated; 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper or chili powder; 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg; 1/2 tsp salt; About 500 ml vegetable oil, for frying; Roasted peanuts, to serve (optional)

From Ghana

Ripe plantain cubes tossed in ginger, chili and nutmeg, then fried until caramelized at the edges. Sweet, hot and impossible to stop eating, just like the ones sold on the streets of Accra.

Prep: 15 min
Cooking: 15 min
Total: 30 min
Serves: 4
Difficulty: Easy

Plus 10 minutes to marinate

Ingredients

For 4 servings

3 ripe plantains (yellow with plenty of black spots)
2 cm piece of fresh ginger, finely grated
1 garlic clove, finely grated
1/2 small onion, finely grated
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper or chili powder
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
About 500 ml vegetable oil, for frying
Roasted peanuts, to serve (optional)

Step by step

Step 1: Peel the plantains and cut them into bite-sized cubes, about 2 cm across.
Step 2: In a large bowl, mix the ginger, garlic, onion, cayenne, nutmeg and salt into a rough paste.
Step 3: Add the plantain cubes and toss gently until every piece is coated. Let them sit for 10 minutes so the flavors soak in.
Step 4: Heat the oil in a deep pan to about 175°C (350°F). It is ready when a small piece of plantain sizzles right away.
Step 5: Fry the plantain in small batches for 3 to 4 minutes, turning once, until deep golden and caramelized.
Step 6: Lift out with a slotted spoon, drain on paper towels and serve warm, with roasted peanuts on the side if you like.