Bacon-Wrapped Plantains Recipe

This is a compensated campaign in collaboration with Farmland® and Latina Bloggers Connect. But, of course, all opinions are my own.

I'm looking forward to The Big Game.

I'm talking about the Superbowl, of course. And, yes, I know who's playing and all, but truthfully, these days I'm more concerned with the menu than with what teams are on the field, (because I'm usually feeding an army of my own) but that's not important right now. 

I plan my Superbowl Menu by quarters. Appetizers for the first half. Main Dish at half-time. Desserts for the fourth quarter. I know it sounds kind of formulaic, but it works for the organized part of my brain.

If I can make it work for my Cuban taste buds, all the better.

Here's a Cuban-inspired appetizer using Farmland® Bacon. (I found it at Walmart.) I decided that the perfect appetizer would be something both sweet and salty which made me think of maduros (sweet plantains) and Farmland® Bacon. Genius, no?

Farmland® bacon is slow smoked over real wood for maximum flavor. For decades, Farmland® has taken pride in perfecting their curing and smoking technique – a difference, they tell me, you’ll taste in every delicious bite. I am a believer.

Thanks, Farmland®. You had me at "slow smoked." *sigh*

I had picked up some fresh plantains to make these, but they weren't truly ripe enough for what I wanted to do, so, as we Cubans say, I had to "resolver." 

So I used frozen (baked) plantains instead and was super happy with the results!

Bacon-Wrapped Plantains Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 lb. (16 oz.) package of Farmland® Classic Cut Bacon
• 2 lb. package Goya Frozen Baked Ripe Plantains (the pre-cooked frozen worked so much better than the fresh for this recipe)

1) Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

2) Thaw the frozen plantains for about 20 minutes.

3) Line a baking pan with aluminum foil.

4) Slice the plantains into 1 1/2 inch slices - about the width of the bacon.

5) Cut the entire package of Farmland® Bacon in half with a sharp knife.

6) Wrap each slice of plantain with a half-slice of bacon, rolling it all the way around the plantain.

7) Place each wrapped plantain slice on the foil-lined baking sheet, seam side down.

8) Bake in 375 degree oven for 35-40 minutes. 

You will want the bacon to be just slightly brown but not too crunchy.

9) Remove from foil immediately or they will stick. Move onto a plate lined with paper towels to blot any excess.

10) Can be served immediately or at room temperature.

If you did your job right, they will not make it to half-time. 

Thanks, Farmland®. Buen Provecho and Go, Patriots!