West Africa · Street food
Plantain Chips (Spiced Fried Plantain Crisps)
Ultra-crisp, thinly sliced green plantains dusted with fiery Sierra Leonean cayenne, ginger, and sea salt.
The story
Sold in translucent plastic bags at bustling lorry parks and roadside stands across Freetown, spiced plantain chips provide an essential energizing snack for commuters. Street vendors typically select unripe, deeply green plantains because their high starch content yields a snappy crunch without absorbing excess oil. A crucial historical trade technique involves par-soaking the slices in salted ginger water before frying to infuse deep internal seasoning.
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