Plátanos en Tentación: Sweet Kola-Glazed Plantains (Plátanos Pícaros)
Plátanos en Tentación (also affectionately known as Plátanos Pícaros) are a delicious, deeply traditional Colombian Caribbean preparation that perfectly combines the sweet, tropical flavor of very ripe plantains with an irresistible caramelized glaze. They are absolutely perfect either as a decadent dessert or as the ultimate sweet-and-savory side dish!
The secret to this rapid 20-minute recipe is boiling the plantains in Colombia’s legendary red soda, Kola Román. As the soda reduces with sugar and cinnamon, it forms a thick, sticky, bright red syrup (melao) that completely coats the plantains, giving them their world-famous color and taste.
Plátanos en Tentación (Sweet Kola-Glazed Plantains)
An iconic Colombian Caribbean side dish! Ripe plantains cooked and caramelized in a thick, sweet Kola Román and cinnamon syrup.
Ingredients
- 2 Very ripe plantains Plátanos maduros, skins should be mostly black
- 1 cup Sugar
- 3 cups Red Kola soda Traditionally Kola Román
- 2 Cinnamon sticks Astillas de canela
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Prep the plantains: The very first step is to peel the ripe plantains and cut each one into 4 or 5 equal-sized chunks.
- Boil the base: Place the plantain chunks into a wide pan over high heat. Add the cup of sugar, a pinch of salt, the cinnamon sticks, and pour in the 3 cups of Kola Román soda.
- Reduce the syrup: Let everything cook rapidly. When you notice the plantains becoming soft and the soda beginning to reduce into a thick syrup (melao), lower the heat.
- Caramelize: Continue cooking over low heat, stirring constantly but gently so the plantains don't stick to the bottom. Cook until they are beautifully glazed, golden, and coated in a sticky syrup. (Chef's Hack: If your plantains were extremely ripe and are getting way too soft before the syrup thickens, simply remove them from the pan, let the syrup finish reducing on its own, and then toss them back in!)
- Serve: Once they have taken on that signature deep, vibrant reddish color from the Kola, remove them from the heat. Serve them piping hot!
Video
Notes
- Iconic Pairings: On the Colombian coast, these incredibly sweet plantains are heavily utilized as the mandatory side dish to contrast rich, savory main courses—most famously served alongside the iconic Posta Negra Cartagenera and coconut rice!
- The Red Soda Substitutions: While authentic Kola Román (or the regional Kola Hipinto) gives this dish its unmistakable bright red color and distinct flavor, if you are outside of Colombia and absolutely cannot find it, you can substitute it with standard dark cola or cream soda.
- Historic Beverage: Kola Román, the absolute star ingredient of this glaze, is a point of immense local pride and holds the title of being one of the oldest manufactured sodas in the entire world, created right here in Cartagena!
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