Sandi's Fried Plantains

One of my best friends grew up in Africa, the daughter of missionaries.  One of her childhood favorites is plantains, which quite honestly, I’ve never really known what to do with. But when I see the black banana looking fruits sitting on her counter, I know I’m in for a treat. Hers are divine. She takes very ripe, very black plantains, slices them and fries up in butter. Lots of butter. This is no dish for the fat conscious. Sweet, buttery and rich, all they require is a sprinkling of kosher salt, and some spicy chicken as a side. I coated strips of chicken thighs in a combination of onion and garlic powder, salt, pepper, paprika, cayenne pepper and cumin and sautéed to accompany the plantains.