Patacones Or Tostones Recipes

Steps:

• Cut off the ends of the plantains and then carefully cut a slit down the length of the skin without cutting into the plantain itself. Using a wooden spoon, pry up the edges of the peel and pull off the skin. Once the peel is removed cut the plantain crosswise into 3 or 4 pieces, each about 2 to 3 inches long.
• Heat the oil in a medium skillet over high heat until it shimmers, about 3 minutes. Add the plantains and fry them until they turn golden on all sides, about 3 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, then place between 2 sheets of parchment paper. Reduce the heat to medium.
• Flatten the plantains by pressing down on them with a heavy-bottomed pan. Return 1/2 of the flattened plantains to the oil and re-fry until deep golden on both sides, about 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer back to the paper towel-lined plate to drain and repeat with the remaining flattened plantains. Sprinkle with salt and serve immediately.

Steps:

• Place a plate, upside-down, onto a work surface.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry plantain slices in the hot oil until slightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer plantain slices using a slotted spoon onto the upside-down plate, reserving oil in the skillet. Place a second plate, right-side up, onto the plantains. Smash the plantain slices by gently pressing the top plate into the bottom plate.
• Place the smashed plantains in the hot oil and fry until browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer fried plantains to a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle salt over plantains.

Steps:

• Peel Plantain, and cut it width wise into 3 or 4 pieces.
• I have found that the easiest way to peel the plantain is to cut roughly 1/4" off of each end of the plantain (the very tips), and then carefully, without cutting into the plantain itself, slicing the skin down one side.
• Once you have slit the skin on one side, you can gently pry the peel off with your fingers.
• Heat 1" of vegetable oil on medium heat until hot.
• Fry plantain pieces on both sides for about 3 minutes, or until the pieces are golden.
• When they are golden, remove from pan and place onto a plate covered with a paper towel.
• Flatten the fried plantain.
• I do this by placing the pieces one at a time between 2 pieces of waxed paper, and flattening with my hands.
• Be careful not to put too much pressure, or the plantain will stick to the waxed paper.
• Just gently flatten them till they are about 1/4" thick.
• Place in the hot oil again and fry until both sides are golden brown.
• Drain on paper towel covered plate (be sure to change paper towels in between the 2 fryings) and sprinkle with salt.
• Serve immediately.
• For an extra special treat, eat the patacones with a thin slice of queso blanco (salty white cheese) on top.