Have you ever tried the most popular dish, Fried Plantains Tostones? It is one of the most popular dishes in Puerto Rico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, and other Caribbean islands. This dish is a delicious side for beef, pork, or chicken. It’s also perfect to snack on with some garlic sauce or ketchup.
Fried Plantains Tostones are made from green plantains that are fried in oil until they’re golden brown and crispy on the outside. They have a soft, creamy texture inside and their flavor is slightly sweet. In addition, they’re a great source of vitamins A, B6, and C, as well as fiber and potassium.
In this article, you will learn about the best ingredients to use for this delicious dish, as well as a few cooking tips. Let’s start.
What are fried plantains tostones?
Fried plantains tostones are made from green plantains that are peeled, cut into slices, and then fried until golden brown. The slices are then flattened with a flat-bottomed object to form them into discs. Fried plantains tostones have a crunchy exterior and a soft, creamy interior. They’re usually served as a side dish or snack.
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Where Did I First Try fried plantains tostones?
A few years back, I went to the Caribbean, and while I was there, I wanted to try something new. After some research, I stumbled upon a local restaurant that served fried plantains tostones as one of its dishes.
The moment I saw the dish on the table, I knew that this was something special. It looked absolutely delicious! The golden-brown discs were arranged neatly on the plate and were accompanied by a side of garlic sauce.
I was immediately impressed with the taste and texture of these fried plantains tostones. The exterior was crunchy, while the inside had an almost creamy texture that melted in my mouth. The flavor was slightly sweet, with a hint of saltiness from the garlic sauce.
Although this was my first time eating fried plantains tostones, it has since become one of my favorite dishes. I find myself craving them whenever I visit the Dominican Republic or anywhere else in the Caribbean.
Ingredients
- Green plantain: To add a flavor of sweetness and soft texture, you can not skip the main ingredient. They are a staple in Caribbean cuisine and they can be found in most grocery stores.
- Oil for frying: To fry your tostones you need oil, preferably vegetable or avocado oil for better results.
- Cold water: To soak your plantains before slicing them you need cold water to reduce the natural starch content of the plantains.
- Salt: To add flavor to your tostones, you need salt. You can adjust the amount according to your taste.
Cooking Directions
Step 1
Start by peeling the plantain. Place it on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to slice off the skin. Cut the plantain into ½-inch thick slices.
Step 2
Heat some oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s hot, carefully add in the sliced plantains. Fry for about 3 minutes on each side, flipping them over carefully with a spatula.
Step 3
Transfer the fried plantains to a bowl of cold water and let them sit for about 2 minutes. Remove the slices from the water and pat dry with a paper towel.
Step 4
Use a flat-bottomed object to flatten the plantains and form them into little discs. Heat up some more oil in the skillet over medium-high heat
Step 5
Fry the flattened plantains for another 2 minutes on each side until they’re golden brown. Remove from the pan and sprinkle with salt.
Cooking Tips
• To make sure your tostones are cooked evenly, cut the plantains into uniform slices.
• Make sure not to over-fry your tostones or they will become too crunchy and dry.
• If you’re using a skillet for frying, use one with a heavy bottom so it retains heat better and cooks your tostones evenly.
• To reduce the amount of oil absorbed by your tostones while frying, use a deep-fryer instead.
What Ingredients Can I Replace or Substitute While Making It?
Fried plantains tostones are usually made with green plantains. However, if you don’t have any on hand or want to try something different, you can substitute it with yellow or sweet plantains. Yellow and sweet plantains will give your tostones a sweeter and softer texture than green plantains.
You can also use different types of oil for frying your tostones, such as coconut oil or olive oil. Coconut and olive oils have a slightly milder flavor than other vegetable oils, so keep that in mind if you’re looking for something more subtle.
Equipment
- knife
- Skillet
- chopping board
- bowls
- paper towel, etc
Ingredients
- 1 green plantain
- 5 tablespoons oil for frying
- 3 cups cold water
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Start by peeling the plantain. Place it on a cutting board and use a sharp knife to slice off the skin. Cut the plantain into ½-inch thick slices.
- Heat some oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Once it’s hot, carefully add in the sliced plantains. Fry for about 3 minutes on each side, flipping them over carefully with a spatula.
- Transfer the fried plantains to a bowl of cold water and let them sit for about 2 minutes. Remove the slices from the water and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Use a flat-bottomed object to flatten the plantains and form them into little discs. Heat up some more oil in the skillet over medium-high heat
- Fry the flattened plantains for another 2 minutes on each side until they’re golden brown. Remove from the pan and sprinkle with salt.
Video
Notes
- To make sure your tostones are cooked evenly, cut the plantains into uniform slices.
- Make sure not to over-fry your tostones or they will become too crunchy and dry.
- If you’re using a skillet for frying, use one with a heavy bottom so it retains heat better and cooks your tostones evenly.
- To reduce the amount of oil absorbed by your tostones while frying, use a deep-fryer instead.
Nutrition Information
A single serving (3-4 discs) of fried plantains tostones contains about:
• 150 calories
• 6 grams of fat
• 22 grams of carbohydrates
• 2 grams of dietary fiber
• 1 gram of protein
How to Store Leftover fried plantains tostones?
If you have any leftover tostones, you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. To reheat your tostones, heat them in a skillet or the oven until they’re warmed through.
FAQs
Can pregnant women eat this?
Yes, fried plantains tostones are safe for pregnant women. However, make sure to cook the plantains thoroughly and avoid eating more than 3-4 servings per week.
Are these vegan?
Yes, fried plantains tostones are vegan as they do not contain any animal products. Again, make sure to fry them in vegetable or avocado oil and not animal fat.
Are these gluten-free?
Yes, fried plantains tostones are naturally gluten-free as they do not contain any wheat or processed flour.
Wrapping Up
Fried plantains tostones are a delicious and nutritious snack or side dish. They’re easy to make, with just a few simple ingredients, and can be enjoyed by people of all ages. The best part is that they can be made vegan-friendly and gluten-free as well! Have you tried making them?
Even though this dish is relatively easy to make, it’s important to follow the instructions and use the right ingredients. Keep in mind that plantains should be peeled and cut into thin slices before frying for best results. Also, make sure to fry them over medium-high heat so they’ll cook evenly without burning.
Overall, fried plantains tostones are a delightful treat that can be enjoyed as a snack or side dish. Whether you’ve been making them for years or are trying them out for the first time, they’re sure to please your taste buds!
Please share this recipe with your friends and family. Have a nice day!
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Rebecca Novak is a trained chef with over 10 years of experience in the food industry. She has worked in both fine dining and casual Hungarian restaurants and specializes in creating dishes using fresh, seasonal ingredients. She also loves exploring different cuisines worldwide, which allows her to bring unique flavors and ideas to the recipes she creates for Hungarianchef.com. Read more