Leftover Plantain Melts
with citrus and avocado salad
Use leftover plantains from earlier in the week (or quickly roast some in the oven) for these vegetarian Cubano-inspired sandwiches with melted cheese and sliced pickles.
Smarts: To flatten these sandwiches like panini, we like to place a heavy skillet over the top while they're cooking. You can also use a panini press if you have one!
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Ingredients
Plantain Melts:
- Plantains - 3 (look for very ripe, dark brown fruit)
- Pickles, dill (opt) - 1/2 cup, sliced
- Mayonnaise - 3 Tbsp
- Mustard, Dijon - 1 Tbsp
- Baguette, soft - 10 oz (look for a soft, not crusty variety; sub sandwich bread)
- Cheese, Swiss - 4 slices (sub provolone)
- Butter - 2 Tbsp
Citrus and Avocado Salad:
- Shallots - 1/2 clove, diced
- Oranges - 1, segments
- Avocados - 1, sliced
- Lettuce, butterhead or Boston leaf (sub any mixed greens) - 1 head, leaves torn
- Vinegar, red or white wine - 3 tsp
- Mustard, Dijon - 1 tsp
- Honey - 1 tsp
- Oil, cooking - 2 Tbsp
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size:
1 serving
Servings Per Recipe
4
Amount Per Serving
Calories
635
Just a moment...
% Daily Value
Total Fat
28g
43%
Just a moment...
Saturated Fat
10g
50%
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Trans Fat
0g
Just a moment...
Cholesterol
36mg
12%
Just a moment...
Sodium
504mg
21%
Just a moment...
Total Carbohydrate
83g
28%
Just a moment...
Dietary Fiber
8g
32%
Just a moment...
Sugars
22g
Just a moment...
Protein
19g
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Prep
- Shallots - Dice shallots. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
- Roast plantains - (Skip this step if you have leftovers from Monday's meal.) Heat oven to 425F / 218C. Brush a sheet pan with some oil. Add plantains in a single layer and brush with some more oil. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Bake, turning halfway through cooking, until golden brown, 15 to 17 minutes total. (Can be done up to 4 days ahead of time)
- Pickles - Thinly slice pickles (if not already sliced). (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
- Oranges / Avocados / Lettuce - Prep as directed.
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Make
- Combine mayonnaise and mustard. Slice bread in half and spread mayonnaise / mustard on the inside. Top the bottom half with leftover plantains, pickles and cheese. Add the top half of the bread. Slice assembled Cubano into smaller portions so that they will fit inside your largest nonstick pan.
- Heat a nonstick pan (or use a panini press if you have one) over medium heat. Add butter and swirl it around in the pan until it melts. Add the sandwiches to hot pan and place a heavy skillet on top. (Adding this weight on top is optional but will help to compress the sandwiches as they cook, like using a panini press.) When the sandwiches are golden brown on the bottom, flip them over and place the second skillet back on top. Continue cooking until the cheese is melted and the sandwiches are golden brown on both sides.
- Just before serving, combine shallots with vinegar, mustard and honey. Add oil while whisking. Toss oranges, avocados and lettuce in dressing.
- Serve sandwiches with salad on the side. Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size:
1 serving
Servings Per Recipe
4
Amount Per Serving
Calories
635
Just a moment...
% Daily Value
Total Fat
28g
43%
Just a moment...
Saturated Fat
10g
50%
Just a moment...
Trans Fat
0g
Just a moment...
Cholesterol
36mg
12%
Just a moment...
Sodium
504mg
21%
Just a moment...
Total Carbohydrate
83g
28%
Just a moment...
Dietary Fiber
8g
32%
Just a moment...
Sugars
22g
Just a moment...
Protein
19g
Just a moment...
Reviews
Ratings
26 reviews