These plátanos en dulce (literally sweet plantains) are one of those recipes that instantly take me back to my Venezuelan childhood. Not overly sweet, delicately perfumed with cloves, and wonderfully simple, this dish reminds you why less is often more.
Made with just a few ingredients, it’s a traditional Venezuelan side dish that pairs beautifully with almost any homemade meal.
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Ingredients
- Ripe but firm plantains
- Vegetable oil for frying
- Sugar
- Water
- Whole cloves
How to Make Plátanos en Dulce
- Peel the plantains and cut them into thirds.
- Fry them in hot oil over medium heat until golden on all sides.
- Transfer to paper towels to drain and discard the oil.
- In the same pan, combine water, sugar, and whole cloves.
- Return the plantains to the pan and boil over high heat.
- Reduce to low heat and simmer until the syrup thickens slightly, turns golden, and is fragrant.
Flavors of My Childhood
I was lucky to have my grandma Ligia around as I grew up. Among many wonderful things, that meant eating incredibly well. She had a gift for cooking and could make magic with whatever was on hand.
Plantains were a staple in our kitchen. We ate them ripe (what they call “maduros” here in Miami, where I live), fried in slices, baked, boiled, or green in tostones or patacones. I even remember my grandmother adding green plantain to her sancochos.
These plátanos en dulce were one of my favorites growing up. The subtle sweetness and clove aroma made them special. It also happens to be one of the first recipes my mom taught me—along with white rice and meatballs—when she showed me the basics of cooking before I started high school.
Enri
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Sweet Plantains in Clove Syrup – Plátanos en dulce
Ingredients
- 3 ripe plantains peeled and cut into thirds
- ½ cup vegetable oil for frying
- 1 cup water
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 8 whole cloves
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a deep skillet over medium heat.
- Fry the plantains until golden, about 10 minutes.
- Remove from the pan and place on paper towels.
- Discard the oil and wipe the skillet clean if needed.
- Add the water, sugar, and cloves to the skillet and stir.
- Add the plantains and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Lower the heat and simmer for 12 minutes, or until the syrup thickens and becomes fragrant.
Nutrition
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