Yes, you absolutely can cook plantain from frozen, particularly by frying.
When you have frozen plantain slices, cooking them directly from the freezer is a common and effective method, especially for popular preparations like fried plantain (often called maduros or tostones, depending on ripeness and preparation).
Frying Frozen Plantain
According to one reference, cooking frozen plantain by frying is explicitly recommended: "fry frozen". This indicates that thawing is not necessary before cooking. The process involves placing the frozen pieces directly into heated oil.
Here's a breakdown of the frying process based on the provided information:
- Start with Frozen: Take the plantain pieces directly from the freezer.
- Oil Temperature: Heat your oil to a medium heat.
- Cooking and Adjustment: Place the frozen plantain in the hot oil. Keep an eye on the cooking process. The heat can be adjusted as needed – reduced or increased – to ensure even cooking without burning.
- Knowing When It's Done: Cook until the plantain pieces turn golden brown. This indicates they are cooked through and have developed the desired caramelized texture (for ripe plantains) or crispy texture (for green plantains, often fried twice).
- Serving: Once golden brown, remove the plantain from the oil and serve immediately.
Using this method allows you to prepare delicious fried plantain quickly without waiting for it to thaw, saving time while achieving a great result.
