Kelewele
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kelewele is a popular Ghanaian snack dish made from plantains. In English, they are called Hot Plantain Crisps. They are fried plantain chips, seasoned with spices. In Africa, kelewele are sold by street vendors. It is sometimes served with rice and stew, peanuts, and alone as a dessert or a snack. The plantain may be cut diagonally into chips or into cubes. Usually, ginger, cayenne pepper, and salt are the typical spices used to make kelewele. However, onions, anise, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, and chili powder are also used as spices. The oil should be hot and the plantain shouldn't be too soft, or it will absorb too much oil. It is cooked until the sugar in the plantains caramelizes, with brown edges.
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[edit] Recipe
This recipe makes 6-8 servings. It will take about 30 minutes to make, with 15 minutes of preparation time.
[edit] Ingredients
- 4-6 plantain bananas, peeled and cut into cubes or chips
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper or red pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger, peeled and grated
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons water or lemon juice
- vegetable oil
[edit] Preparation
- Grind together ginger, pepper, and salt. Mix with water.
- Add the plantain cubes to the spice mixture. Let it marinate for 10-20 minutes.
- Heat oil in a skillet to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, the plantains should float.
- Add the plantains to the skillet and deep-fry them. Turn them over once until golden brown on both sides. Do not overcrowd the skillet with plantains.
- After frying, remove any excess oil by using an absorbant material. Serve hot and fresh.
