What is the chifle?

In many tropical countries of South and Central America, plantain is as common as its smaller cousin, a banana. This led to chifle or fried edge fries, in countries like Ecuador and Peru, have become as common as banana chips. Sweeter than potato chips, this sweet and salty snack is made of oil, salt and thin sliced ​​plantain.

also known as Tajadas , chives chips must be made of fresh, ripened bananas or green bananas; Otherwise, they will taste too bitter. Many of them consider plajtans to be vegetables, despite their official designation as fruit. Some chefs cut them into circular chips; Others cut long strips lengthwise or make a combination of these two. Some pre -dip the fruit in salt water to make them spicy.

After slicing, pieces of plantain are falling into hot oil until it brown and crispy. The oil should fully dip the chips on the sausage. If the chips are packed withFryns too tight, they can stick together. The completion of the process only includes drying oil chips on a paper towel and then sprinkled with salt.

Other variations have chefs adding garlic powder and even chile powder for a spicy version known as chifles cerveceros . In some areas, these chips are produced on a hot stove instead of in a deep deep fryer. A common accompaniment with a bowl of chifle is salsa rosada or salsa golf , which is a combination of mayonnaise, ketchup, citrus juice, salt and pepper.

Sacks of chifle chips are commonly sold by street sellers in countries like Peru or Ecuador. They regularly appear as a light appetizer on various tables of the restaurant, in addition to the cold soup known as ceviche , or with sauces or chutneys made of avacada, fruit or chipotle. Many commercial versions to sell Latiná America and further abroad.

sweeter version chifle is also popular banana chips that are made in the same way. These refreshments are more often associated with sweeter pairing, such as a mix of trails or as a frost for ice cream. chifle , on the contrary, it is used in a sweet or salty way in Latin American cultures. In Cuba, these refreshments are Mariquitas or Lady Bugs; in Puerto Rico, platanutres ; And in Bolivia there are chipilos or small chips.