Crispy Caribbean Spinach & Plantain Bites
Delight your taste buds with these Crispy Caribbean Spinach & Plantain Bites, a perfect finger food for gatherings with friends and family. Made from perfectly ripe plantains, these delectable rolls are filled with fresh, sautéed spinach, onion, and garlic, creating a burst of flavor in every bite. The rolls can be served hot out of the frying pan or enjoyed cold as a refreshing appetizer. Ideal for parties, picnics, or game day, these bites will impress your guests and have them asking for the recipe!
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
ripe plantains
2 large (Cut lengthwise into 4-5 slices)
fresh spinach
500 g (Wash and chop)
onions
2 tablespoons (Finely chopped)
garlic
2 teaspoons (Finely chopped)
egg
1 (Beaten)
flour
1/2 cup (Plain flour)
salt
to taste
pepper
to taste
oil
for frying
toothpicks
10 (Or wooden cocktail sticks)
Instructions
1
Begin by cutting each plantain lengthwise into 4 to 5 slices. Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
2
Pan-fry the plantain slices for about 2-3 minutes on each side until they are golden and tender.
3
In another pan, sauté the finely chopped onions and garlic until fragrant. Then, add the chopped spinach, and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the spinach wilts, then remove the excess moisture if needed.
4
Take a slice of the fried plantain and gently form it into a ring using a toothpick to secure it. Fill each ring with the cooked spinach mixture.
5
Dip each filled plantain roll into the beaten egg, then coat with flour. Ensure that each roll is well covered.
6
Fry the rolls in hot oil until they are golden brown on all sides, about 3-4 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels.
7
Serve your Crispy Caribbean Spinach & Plantain Bites warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Crispy Caribbean Spinach & Plantain Bites?
They are a Caribbean-inspired appetizer featuring ripe plantain slices formed into rings, filled with a savory sautéed spinach mixture, breaded, and fried until crispy.
What type of plantains should I use for this recipe?
You should use ripe plantains, as they are sweet and become tender enough to roll when pan-fried.
How should the plantains be sliced?
Each plantain should be cut lengthwise into 4 to 5 thin slices.
What are the main ingredients in the filling?
The filling consists of fresh spinach, finely chopped onions, and garlic seasoned with salt and pepper.
How do I prepare the spinach for the filling?
Sauté finely chopped onions and garlic until fragrant, then add chopped spinach and cook until wilted, ensuring you remove any excess moisture.
How are the plantain rings formed?
Take a slice of fried plantain, bend it into a ring shape, and secure the ends with a toothpick.
Why is it important to remove moisture from the spinach?
Removing excess moisture prevents the plantain rolls from becoming soggy and helps them maintain their crispiness during the final frying stage.
What is the coating process for the plantain bites?
The filled plantain rings are dipped into a beaten egg and then coated thoroughly with plain flour.
How long do you fry the finished rolls?
The rolls should be fried in hot oil for approximately 3-4 minutes until they are golden brown on all sides.
Can these plantain bites be served cold?
Yes, these bites can be served hot immediately after frying or enjoyed at room temperature as a refreshing appetizer.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian as it contains only vegetables, fruit, eggs, and flour.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to make 8 servings.
What equipment is needed to secure the plantain rings?
You will need about 10 toothpicks or wooden cocktail sticks to hold the plantain slices in their ring shape.
What type of flour is recommended for the coating?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of plain flour.
How do you prepare the plantains before rolling them?
Pan-fry the slices for 2-3 minutes per side in oil over medium heat until they are golden and tender.
What aromatics are used to flavor the spinach?
Two tablespoons of finely chopped onions and two teaspoons of finely chopped garlic are used.
What should I do after frying the bites?
Remove them from the oil and drain them on paper towels to remove any excess grease.
Is this a good recipe for parties?
Absolutely, these bites are described as perfect finger food for gatherings, picnics, or game days.
How much spinach is required?
The recipe requires 500 grams of fresh spinach, washed and chopped.
What happens if the plantains are too firm to roll?
Ensure they are ripe and pan-fry them until they are tender; this makes them flexible enough to form rings without breaking.
Can I use a different type of oil?
Any standard frying oil works well for both pan-frying the slices and deep-frying the finished rolls.
How many plantains are needed?
The recipe requires 2 large ripe plantains.
Are these bites spicy?
As written, they are savory rather than spicy, seasoned only with salt and pepper.
What category does this recipe fall into?
It is categorized as a Vegetable dish and an appetizer.
How many eggs are used in the egg wash?
One beaten egg is used to help the flour adhere to the plantain rolls.
Can I prepare these in advance?
While best served fresh, they can be enjoyed cold or at room temperature, making them good for advance preparation.
What is the texture of the finished bite?
The exterior is crispy from the flour coating while the inside is soft from the plantain and spinach filling.
Do I need to peel the plantains?
Yes, you should peel them before slicing them lengthwise into 4-5 pieces.
Can I use frozen spinach instead of fresh?
While the recipe specifies fresh spinach, frozen can be used if it is thoroughly thawed and squeezed dry of all liquid.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include caribbean, finger food, appetizer, vegetarian, plantains, spinach, party food, fried snacks, easy recipe, and healthy.