Arañitas de Platano Verde

Arañitas de Platano Verde are a delicious fun quick appetizer, snack or side dish and absolutely perfect anytime!

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Making arañitas is one of my absolute favorite ways of the 1,001 ways of cooking with platanos verdes (green plantains).

There are just endless ways of cooking with plantains! It truly is a staple in Puerto Rican Cuisine as with most other Latin cooking.

These plantain fritters are no exception! Just another fabulous creation with the amazing plantain!

Not only are these delicious but they’re just fun to eat. Crunchy on the outside and perfect on the inside!

They’re perfect as an appetizer, snack or as a side for dinner, especially with pork.

What are Arañitas de Platano Verde?

So what are arañitas? Arañitas translates to “little spiders,” referring to its visual crispy appearance. I know, doesn’t sound so appetizing but trust me, the name has nothing on their flavor!

Platano verde, simply translates to green plantain, hence, Arañitas de Platano Verde .

These shredded plantain fritters are a popular classic dish in Puerto Rico and are mostly served as an appetizer in many restaurants all over the island.

Although, you will also find arañitas served as a side dish.

Most commonly, however, you will see tostones served as a side dish and arañitas served mostly as an appetizer.

One thing is for certain, where ever you find tostones or aranitas, you too shall find our famous mayoketchup sauce.

Mayoketchup is served alongside most all plantain dishes in Puerto Rico.

It is such a popular sauce, it is even served as a dressing for salad!

Ingredients to Make Arañitas de Platano Verde

To make these fun fritters, you just need a few ingredients and some simple easy to follow steps.

• Green plantains: make sure to use very green plantains and not ones that are starting to ripe and turn yellow.
• Adobo: Another true staple of Puerto Rican cookery and used for hyper flavor on many dishes. Although I like to sprinkle my shredded plantains with adobo,it is not necessary to enjoy these fritters. If you do not use adobo, use salt to season.
• Ground Pepper: For even more seasoning!
• Vegetable Oil: To fry these yummy morsels of course!

TIP: If you would like to make these but do not like fried foods, follow instructions below for cooking arañitas without frying.

MayoKetchup Sauce

• 2 tbsp mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 1 garlic clove (minced) or 1 tsp garlic powder

How to Make Arañitas de Platano Verde

Start with making the sauce first so it is ready to go once you finish frying the arañitas and can enjoy them immediately while they’re still hot.

MayoKetchup Sauce

1. Combine the ketchup, mayo and garlic in a small bowl and mix well with a fork.
2. Set aside until ready to use.

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1. Cut the ends of plantains and discard.
2. Using a knife score the plantain lengthwise, careful not to cut into the flesh.
3. Using the tip of your thumb or the tip of the knife, gently pry the skin to lift the skin a little.  Then slip your thumb under skin to start peeling skin off.
4. Once skin is peeled off the plantains, cut plantains in half.
5. Using a grater, take one half at a time and grate plantain lengthwise to produce long strands.
6. Repeat with other half of plantain. Repeat same procedure with second plantain.
7. Add shredded plantain to a mixing bowl. Add adobo and ground pepper.

TIP: Look at photos of how to Peel a Green Plantain. Check out this step by step recipe of post, Bolon de Verde.

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1. In a large skillet, add the oil and heat over medium high heat.
2. Once oil is hot, add two tablespoons of the shredded plantain to a larger spoon to help easily and gently lay in oil.
3. Repeat procedure with three to four more batches of shredded plantains. (DO NOT overcrowd pan!)
4. Cook on one side for 3 minutes and flip over with a spoon or spatula.
5. Cook for another 3 minutes.
6. Drain fritters on paper towels.
7. Serve immediately with mayoketchup sauce.

Tip: It is commonly assumed you need to press the shredded plantains into a ball before adding to oil so they do not fall apart. However, for extra fluffy arañitas, simply add two tablespoons of shredded plantains to a large spoon and make sure oil is hot before adding the batches. This prevents them from falling apart and produces the most perfect fluffy arañitas.

Making Arañitas de Platano Verde without Frying

• Add the shredded plantains to a bowl and combine with all seasoning plus 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil.
• In a nonstick pan, over medium heat, add the plantain batches.
• After a minute, lower heat and cook arañitas on low flame for a few minutes allowing them to cook through but not burn on the outside.
• Flip over and cook on the other side.
• Once cooked, remove from pan and drain on paper towels.

For more delicious plantain dishes, you will love these.

Canoas de Platano (Stuffed Plantains)

Pasteles de Arroz (Rice Pasteles)

Sango de Camaron (Shrimp Sango)

Mofongo con Carne Frita (Mofongo with Fried Pork Chunks)

Mofongo de Camarones (Mofongo with Shrimps in Salsa Criolla)

Pasteles al Caldero (Pasteles in a Pot)

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📖 Recipe