In brief
- Plantain fritters: mashed very ripe plantain mixed into a sweet batter, then fried.
- Origin: West Africa and the French Caribbean, two distinct traditions of this sweet fritter.
- Key ingredients: very ripe plantain, flour, sugar, egg, rum, vanilla, nutmeg.
- Eaten warm, as a snack or dessert, often sold by street vendors in West Africa.
Origins and cultural history of plantain fritters
Plantain is native to Southeast Asia. It became established in West Africa around 1400 AD, before reaching the Caribbean shortly after the year 1500, where it became a staple of Creole cuisine.
The sweet plantain fritter exists both in West Africa, where it is found for example under the name talé talé in Côte d'Ivoire, sold by street vendors in the streets and markets, and in the French Caribbean, where it is traditionally prepared with aged rum, vanilla, nutmeg and lime zest, a family recipe passed down from generation to generation.
What are the key ingredients of plantain fritters
The batter for these fritters is made by mixing mashed plantain into a sweet batter, before a quick fry in hot oil.
- very ripe plantain
- flour
- sugar
- egg
- aged rum
- vanilla
- nutmeg
What to know about beignets de banane plantain
Beignets de banane plantain are made from a purée of very ripe plantain, mixed into a sweet batter of flour, sugar and egg, then fried in hot oil. In the French Antilles, they are flavored with aged rum, vanilla, nutmeg and lime zest. In West Africa, they are sold lukewarm in the street, called talé talé in Côte d'Ivoire, as a snack or a dessert.
Frequently asked questions about plantain fritters
Can these fritters be made without rum?
Yes, the rum can be replaced with a little milk, possibly with an extra dash of vanilla to make up for the aroma. The result stays soft, with a milder scent.
Why use a very ripe plantain for these fritters?
A plantain with very black skin is naturally sweeter and easier to mash into a purée: it is what gives the fritters their softness and sweet taste, without needing to add much sugar.
Where to find the ingredients for plantain fritters in France?
NKOSI sells the cane sugar in this recipe, and ships it from the Paris area within 24 to 72 working hours, to mainland France (2 to 3 working days) and to ten European countries. The minimum order is 39 €: in France, delivery to a pickup point is then free, and home delivery is free from 69 €. Fresh plantain can be bought from a greengrocer or a shop selling fresh produce.
