Tostones are a must have in the cuisine of Latin America and Caribbean countries. They are fried until golden brown. Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. So easy to make that it is done in 15 minutes or less.
Start by cutting the ends of your plantains. Then with your knife make a vertical line from top to bottom making sure the tip is thru the skin. Now start peeling from any top corner of the line you just made. If you have any skin left just remove it with your knife.
Cut your plantains into small cylinders of about 1 inch each.
Heat oil in a medium skillet or saucepan on medium heat. Add your Tostones and fry for 3 minutes on each side. Remove from oil into a small bowl with a paper towel to absorb excess oil.
Smash your plantains with a plate or any flat dish you have available. Smash until they are about ¼ of an inch thick. Just enough so they look like a big flat circle.
Heat oil again but this time on medium high heat. Fry for about 2 minutes on each side. Remove from oil into a paper towel or wire rack to drain. Salt immediately. Enjoy right away.
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Notes
Your plantain must be green so they come out savory. The yellow plantains are sweet ones and not the ones we need for this recipe.
If your plantain crumbles when smashing, it means is undercooked. Just give it an extra minute and then smash.
You can also add minced garlic on top of the Tostones right when they come out of the oil. This will give it a nice added flavor.