Ingredients:
- 2-3 green plantains (plátanos verdes)
- Vegetable oil (for frying)
- Salt (to taste)
- Optional: Garlic sauce or dipping sauce of your choice
Instructions:
- Prepare the Plantains:
- Peel the plantains by cutting off both ends and making a shallow lengthwise cut through the skin. Use your fingers to remove the peel.
- Slice the plantains into 1-inch thick rounds.
- First Fry:
- Heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat.
- Once the oil is hot, carefully add the plantain slices. Fry them for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are golden and slightly tender. Do not cook them completely through.
- Remove the plantains from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Smash the Plantains:
- Using a tostonera (a special tool for smashing tostones) or the bottom of a flat object like a heavy glass or plate, smash each plantain slice to flatten them to about half their original thickness.
- Second Fry:
- Reheat the oil if needed, and fry the smashed plantains again for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Remove the tostones from the oil and drain them on paper towels. Sprinkle with salt while they are still hot.
- Serve:
- Serve the tostones hot with a garlic sauce or your favorite dipping sauce.
Enjoy your delicious tostones de plátano verde!