Cheese Filled Plantain Fritters (Piononos)

Piononos are the perfect finger food. These delicious plantain bites are battered, fried, and stuffed with cheese. They can also be stuffed with ground beef (picadillo). Recipe from about.com.

• Ready In: 45 mins
• Yields: 12 piononos

Ingredients

• 3  ripe plantains (yellow stage)
• 2⁄3 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
• 2  eggs
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1  tablespoon flour
• 1  tablespoon water
•  toothpick
•  vegetable oil (for frying)

Directions

1. Peel the plantains. Slice each one lengthwise into 4 equal slices.
2. In a frying pan, lightly fry the slices on each side until slices are pliable, not brittle.
3. Remove the slices and drain on paper towels until cool enough to handle.
4. Form each slice into a ring, with ends overlapping about an inch. Secure with toothpicks.
5. Stuff each ring with cheddar cheese. Squeeze the cheese together slightly so that it will not fall apart.
6. In a bowl, mix together the eggs, salt, flour and water.
7. Cover the open ends of the piononos with the flour and egg mix.
8. Fry the piononos on each end until it is sealed and golden.