Grilled Ripe Plantains (Plátanos Maduros a la Parrilla)

Prepare the butter glaze

Place the butter and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat and cook until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved in it.

Add the vinegar and stir well.

Remove from the heat and set aside.

Prepare, grill, and serve the plantains

Heat your grill to high (550°F) and close the lid. Wait at least 15 minutes before lowering the heat to medium-high (450°F) and continuing. Oil the grill grates with a vegetable oil-soaked paper towel held with a long pair of tongs.

Slice the unpeeled plantains in half lengthwise and place them cut side down on the grill. Close the lid and cook for 15 minutes. Turn the plantains over and baste the cut sides of the plantains with the butter glaze. Close the lid and continue cooking for another 15 minutes.

Brush a bit more glaze on the plantains before removing them from the grill.

Serve the plantains in their skins while hot from the grill.

Cooking notes

Advance preparation

You can prepare the butter glaze a few hours in advance. It will thicken when cool and will need to be reheated.

Reprinted with permission from Latin Grilling by Lourdes Castro, © 2011 Ten Speed Press, a division of Random House, Inc.A Miami native, Lourdes Castro has served as a personal chef and nutritionist for high-profile clients, such as Cristina Saralegui and professional athletes, and as an associate of the James Beard Foundation. A highly regarded Latin chef and cooking teacher, Castro is the author of Simply Mexican and Eat, Drink, Think in Spanish. She currently teaches food science at New York University and is the director of the Culinary Academy at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida. Find out more at Lourdescastro.com