Baked Plantains

Source: NY Times Food Section

2 large, very ripe (black) plantains
¼ cup brown sugar

Pinch allspice
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
2 tablespoons butter
Vanilla ice cream, optional.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut ends off unpeeled plantains, then split them the long way. Make a few gashes in their flesh. Mix together sugar, allspice and cinnamon and push into those gashes. Dot with butter, pushing some into slits.

Put plantains in a baking dish that will hold them comfortably. Bake until tops are bubbly, about 20 minutes; run under broiler if you like, to brown them a bit. Let cool a little before serving with ice cream, if desired. Scoop flesh from skin to eat.

Yield: 4 servings.