Puerto Rican Tostones
Fried green plantains, better known in Puerto Rico as tostones, are a special, salty treat in our family. This chip-like plantain works well as an appetizer or as the perfect side to many Puerto Rican dishes. Tostones are something that can easily be enjoyed at home. So, grab some green plantains from your local grocery store, and bring a little taste of the island to your table today.
Tostones are a family favorite. These delicious appetizers are perfect for your next get-together And making them is pretty simple.
To make tostones, you need green plantains - the greener, the better. If they are turning yellow, they may be too ripe to make tostones. They will be sweeter and softer. Ripe plantains are great for other recipes like Amarillos and Pastelon. But here, we are focusing on tostones. So once you have green plantains, you are ready for the first step which is arguably the hardest.
To start, you need to peel the plantains. A word or warning - the peel can be pretty hard. We cut off the ends and then slice through the middle to get started. Then dig in there with your thumbs and pull the peel back.
Once they are peeled, you should cut the plantains into about 2-inch slices.
Now fry the plantains in canola or vegetable oil for a few minutes over medium heat until they are soft enough to smash. Careful not to overcook them. If they are starting to brown or crisp, they are probably overdone and should be taken out of the oil.
Now it’s time to throw them in the frier again. This step only takes a few minutes, but this time you want to get a bit of a crunch on the outside and a slightly darker color.
That’s it! Now enjoy these delicious, crispy plantains!
