Tropical Sweet Potato and Spiced Plantain Casserole
This vibrant Tropical Sweet Potato and Spiced Plantain Casserole is a delightful blend of comforting and exotic flavors. Rich and creamy sweet potatoes form the base, enhanced by a hint of ginger and the subtle tang of sour cream. This dish takes on new flavor dimensions with a crunchy, golden plantain coconut topping. The plantains, known as 'aranitas' for their whimsical spider-like appearance, add a crispy, caramelized crunch that perfectly complements the tender sweet potato. Enjoy this dish for holidays, family gatherings, or whenever you crave something uniquely delicious.
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes
3 large (pricked, roasted, peeled, pureed)
Eggs
2 (blended)
Melted Butter
1/3 cup (blended)
Sour Cream
1/2 cup (blended)
Sugar
1/2 cup (blended)
Ground Ginger
1 teaspoon (blended)
Salt
3/4 teaspoon (blended)
Pepper
1/8 teaspoon (blended)
Green Plantains
2 (peeled, shredded)
Ground Ginger
1/2 teaspoon (mixed)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (mixed)
Pepper
1/8 teaspoon (mixed)
Sugar
2 tablespoons (mixed)
Flaked Coconut
1 cup (mixed)
Canola Oil
1 cup (heated)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
Prick each sweet potato with a fork several times to allow steam to escape during roasting. Place them on a foil-lined baking sheet.
3
Roast the sweet potatoes for 1 hour and 15 minutes until very tender. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool until you can handle them comfortably.
4
Once cooled, peel the sweet potatoes and transfer them to a food processor. Blend until they are completely smooth and creamy in texture.
5
In the food processor, add the eggs, melted butter, sour cream, sugar, 1 teaspoon of ground ginger, 3/4 teaspoon of salt, and 1/8 teaspoon of pepper to the sweet potato puree. Blend until all ingredients are well combined.
6
Pour the sweet potato mixture into a buttered 2-quart casserole dish, spreading it evenly.
7
Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and bake the sweet potato mixture for 40 minutes.
8
While the sweet potato casserole is baking, prepare the topping.
9
Peel the plantains and use a food processor with a grater attachment to shred them into thin pieces.
10
In a mixing bowl, combine the shredded plantain with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Mix gently to evenly distribute the spices.
11
In a large skillet, heat the canola oil over medium-high heat until it is hot but not smoking.
12
Carefully drop tablespoonfuls of the plantain mixture into the hot oil, frying in batches. Fry each batch for about 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown, reducing the heat if necessary to prevent over-browning.
13
Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried plantains to a paper towel-lined plate to cool.
14
Once the fried plantains have cooled, crumble them and combine with the flaked coconut in a bowl.
15
After the sweet potato mixture has baked for 40 minutes, carefully remove it from the oven. Evenly sprinkle the plantain and coconut mixture over the top of the casserole, gently pressing it down.
16
Return the casserole to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, allowing the topping to lightly toast.
17
Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your tropical-inspired creation!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tropical Sweet Potato and Spiced Plantain Casserole?
It is a vibrant dish featuring a creamy sweet potato and ginger base topped with crunchy, golden plantain and coconut pieces.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to yield 6 servings.
How long should I roast the sweet potatoes?
The sweet potatoes should be roasted for 1 hour and 15 minutes until very tender.
At what temperature should the sweet potatoes be roasted?
Roast the sweet potatoes at 400°F (200°C).
Why do I need to prick the sweet potatoes before roasting?
Pricking them with a fork allows steam to escape during the roasting process to prevent them from bursting.
What size casserole dish is required for this recipe?
A buttered 2-quart casserole dish is recommended.
What ingredients are blended into the sweet potato puree?
Eggs, melted butter, sour cream, sugar, ground ginger, salt, and pepper are blended into the puree.
What temperature should I set for baking the casserole?
The oven temperature should be reduced to 350°F (175°C) for the casserole baking steps.
How long does the sweet potato mixture bake before adding the topping?
The base mixture should bake for 40 minutes before the topping is added.
What kind of plantains are used for the topping?
The recipe calls for 2 green plantains.
How are the plantains prepared for the topping?
They are peeled and shredded into thin pieces using a food processor with a grater attachment.
What are 'aranitas'?
'Aranitas' refers to the shredded plantain topping that has a whimsical, spider-like appearance when fried.
How do I cook the plantain topping?
The shredded plantains are mixed with spices, dropped by tablespoonfuls into hot canola oil, and fried until golden brown.
How long do the plantains need to fry?
Fry each batch for approximately 3 minutes on each side.
What spices are added to the plantain topping?
The plantains are seasoned with ground ginger, salt, pepper, and sugar.
How much canola oil is needed for frying?
One cup of canola oil is used to fry the plantain mixture.
What should I do after frying the plantains?
Transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to cool and then crumble them.
What is mixed with the crumbled plantains?
The crumbled plantains are combined with 1 cup of flaked coconut.
How do I finish the casserole?
Sprinkle the plantain and coconut mixture over the baked sweet potatoes and return it to the oven for 10 minutes.
Is the sweet potato puree supposed to be smooth?
Yes, blend the roasted sweet potatoes in a food processor until they are completely smooth and creamy.
How much sour cream is used in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of sour cream to add a subtle tang to the base.
How much butter is included in the base?
The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of melted butter.
What is the total amount of ground ginger used in the entire recipe?
A total of 1.5 teaspoons of ground ginger is used: 1 teaspoon in the base and 1/2 teaspoon in the topping.
What type of coconut is used for the topping?
The recipe specifies using 1 cup of flaked coconut.
How many eggs are needed for the casserole?
Two eggs are used to help set the sweet potato mixture.
Can I prepare the topping while the base is baking?
Yes, the instructions suggest preparing the plantain topping while the sweet potato mixture is in the oven.
Should I lower the heat if the plantains brown too fast?
Yes, you should reduce the heat while frying if necessary to prevent over-browning.
What should I do before serving the casserole?
Let the casserole cool for a few minutes after removing it from the oven before serving.
Is this a holiday dish?
Yes, it is suitable for holidays, family gatherings, or any special occasion.
Does the recipe use salt and pepper in the topping?
Yes, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/8 teaspoon of pepper are used to season the plantain topping.