Pureto Rican Tostones - Fried Plantain Bowls

In any part of Caribbean you will find plantain on the menu in some or the other form. Whether steamed, roasted, fried, mashed. Green unripe plantains are mostly used in savory dishes as they are starchy and almost taste like potato, whereas ripe are used in cakes, breads and desserts as they are really very sweet and gooey. Tostones or twice fried plantain are perfect vegetarian side dish or snack in Pureto Rican feasts. Plantains closely resembles banana in their appearance, however they are never eaten raw like you would eat banana. Plantains require cooking and are integral part of tropical food and cuisine.

I saw this recipe a year ago on food network in the American Street foods show, which focus street food from round the world as we all know america is melting pot of world's cuisine. The chef served it with crispy bacon and mayo. During one of my dinner part i served as starers, one of our guest was from Trinidad thanked me that i served him their most famous feast food. So here goes the recipe to make lovely and crispy Tostones or Fired Plantains.

It is very ideal for party snacks and for cocktails, you can serve as canapes with different toppings right from salsa to chutney's, sauce, some gravies and also it is best combined with salsa and ideal for white wine as food pairing as it has layers of flavours.

Preparation time : 15 mins
Cooking time : 25 mins
Serves : 4

Ingredients : 
1 raw plantains
pinch salt
tostones press (optional)
Oil for deep frying.

Method : 

1. Wash and Peel plantain. Cut into 1" slices.
2. Fry in hot oil for 2 mins on each side, remove from oil and place on tissue paper.
3. Using tostones press or any heavy flat thing such as mortar or a bowl to press each plantain.
4. Fry again in hot oil till golden crispy.
5. Remove from oil, drain them on tissue paper, sprinkle salt.
6. Serve with Mojo sauce i.e. garlic sauce or can serve with any main dish.
7. In Trinidad they serve with caribbean salsa.

Sending this link to the events hosted by

• Tina's blog The Spicy pear and to Nayna's blog Simplyfood for the event Flavours of Caribbean
• Amrita of Motions and Emotions for her Event Announcement and Giveaway (On the occasion of 100th Post)- Theme Party

Nutritional Fact:

Amount Per Serving
Calories from Fat 41 Calories 92
% Daily Values*
Total Fat 4.6g		7%
	Saturated Fat 0.637g	3%
	Polyunsaturated Fat 2.455g
	Monounsaturated Fat 1.237g
Cholesterol 0mg		0%
Sodium 1138mg		47%
Potassium 196mg
Total Carbohydrate 13.93g		5%
	Dietary Fiber 1g	4%
	Sugars 6.55g
Protein 0.57g
Vitamin A 0% Vitamin C 9%
Calcium 0% Iron 2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Nutrition Values are based on USDA Nutrient Database SR18