(no subject)

[petermarcus]

The last year or so, I've been trying off and on to make "hashbrowns" from plantain. I figure, if plantain chips are something like a more robust potato chip, I can shred the plantain and make a more robust hashbrown. Each time I try though, I end up with a shredded mash that falls apart, half crispy and half chewy.

I wonder if I wash the shredded plantain first, to get rid of some of the outer starch, sort of like you do with french fries once they've been cut from the potato. Similarly, there may be an issue with heat control. Maybe really fast cooking, smoking hot? I was thinking the other way, almost blanching first, but that might make everything fall apart more easily, if the centers are cooked before the sear on the outside can hold everything together.

Anyway, I decided to do a Google search on "plantain hash browns" and the second link was one of my own attempts, documented at FotoCuisine.com. I guess it's not a common thing to do!

Comments

[petermarcus.livejournal.com]

It's a texture thing, and also presentation -- if I could cook them the way I want, I could lay a piece of fish over the crispy shredded plantain and there would be a contrast of texture. I might also be able to shape it over a bowl, curve it down and use it to hold some food, like a little nest or edible bowl.