Stuffed Plantains for Independence Day

[Pigging by Wilfrid:  July 4, 2013]

No, I didn't actually make these for today, but it's such an easy dish, so go indulge yourselves.

And happy holidays to our US readers.  Method after the jump.

Buy some yellow plantains.  Not green, yellow.  Platanos maduros.  Could you make it with green?  Yes, but it won't be as sweet and sticky.  Peel them. No, not like bananas: make a slit in the skin the length of the fruit and unwrap it.

One big plantain for one person.  Half it, make slits the length of each half: you don't have to open them up, they'll open up as they cook.  Put them in a hot (400 or more) oven for about half an hour.  They'll turn into little canoes, and caramelize around the edges.

Meanwhile, make any kind of "stuffing" you like.  I made some spicy ground beef with beans.  Grate your cheese.

Pile it all into your plantain canoes, and slip under the broiler to melt the cheese.  Well, wasn't that hard work?  And at three plantains for a dollar, you have enough left over for a bottle of chilled pink wine.