Plantains are far more than just semi-savory bananas—in many cuisines around the world, they’re as common a carb as rice, potatoes, or wheat. And of the myriad plantain preparations that these cuisines have produced, one of our absolute favorites is known across Central America and the Caribbean by several names: you may have heard of it referred to as maduros, tajadas, or amarillos. Made by slowly pan-frying sliced, ripened plantains until caramelized to a golden brown, our love for this toothsomely-textured, lightly sweet side dish inspired us to bring in our own version, simply called Trader Joe’s Sweet Ripe Plantains.

Made for us by a supplier in Honduras, who selects only the ripest and sweetest Plantains for the job, Trader Joe’s Sweet Ripe Plantains can be easily prepped at home with just a few minutes in the frying pan, air fryer, or conventional oven. From there, you’re free to enjoy them alongside grilled steak, roast chicken, or all sorts of savory breakfast fare. And we’d be remiss if we didn’t recommend accompanying them with some steamy Black Beans and crumbled Cotija.