I love sweet and savory combinations, but I usually only think of them in terms of desserts. Well, a reader sent me this main dish that combines layers of salty meat and veggies with layers of sweet, fried plantains, and I was very excited to try it. Apparently it's very popular in Puerto Rico, and often referred to as their "lasagna." So last weekend, with my mom in town, we decided to make a traditional lasagna as well as Pinon.
The reader, as she will be known, sent me this recipe, as well as some very helpful tips that I completely ignored because I was running short on time. BAD IDEA, SIRI. We (my mom, I love you mom) cut the plantains too thick, resulting in not enough for the multiple layers. The reader even suggested flattening them in between foil with something heavy, like a can of soup, which would have thinned them out nicely and assisted with the layers, but... we ran out of time! Our plantains were also pretty green and unripe, hence, not sweet enough? Does that make sense? I know nothing about plantains. (By the way, do you say plan-TAIN or plan-TIN? Major topic of debate in our household.) In general, I think I failed the reader with this otherwise marvelous recipe. I will make it again with more time and better listening ears. Can you tell I have small children?
