TOSTONES 101 EVERYBODY! MY LAST PLANTAIN RECIPE, YEAH, FOR NOW!

TOSTONES are another typical Puerto Rican and Caribbean veggie that consist of few simple ingredients; fried green plantains, salted water, peanut or olive oil, and salt and pepper.  It follows the first steps of making Mofongo, a dish that I posted recently. Peel the plantains, cut into small pieces, soak in salted water and fry them in small batches.
You would eat TOSTONES as a you would French fries. However, they taste better, especially if you make the Mayo/Ketchup Sauce. (I am also including the recipe).
 
Approximate Prep and Cooking Time: 20 Minutes
Approximate Cost: $4.85 or .81 cents per serving
Difficulty Level: __X__ Easy ____ Intermediate ____ Advanced
Servings: 6
 
Ingredients for the Tostones ($3.65)
4 green plantains ($1.15)
Salted water (0)
2 c. peanut oil (to fry the plantains) ($2.50)
 
Ingredients for the Ketchup/Mayo Sauce ($1.20)
½ tsp. garlic powder (.15)
Salt (.10)
Pepper (.10)
1 tsp. Adobo (.15)
¼ c. Mayonnaise (.35)
1 ½ tsp. of Ketchup (.10)
½ tsp. olive oil (to add to the Ketchup/Mayo sauce (.25)
Hot sauce (OPTIONAL)
 
Directions for the Tostones

• Follow my slide presentation to learn how to peel the plantains. Just cut both ends, make a cut in the peel lengthwise, just on the skin, then with a spoon, detach the peel from the plantains.
• UPDATE: MY FRIEND JAIME MONTILLA SENT ME A HACK TO MAKE IT EASIER TO PEEL PLANTAINS. HE SAID: AFTER CUTTING THE PEEL LENGTHWISE, MICROWAVE THEM FOR 30 SECONDS. YESSS! IT WORKED. Thanks Jaime.
  
•  Cut the plantains in about 1” pieces and soak in salted water-to-taste for about 10 minutes. 
• When ready to fry the plantains, drain the salted water and pat them dry well before placing them in the skillet with hot peanut oil. 
• Cook the plantain pieces until light golden brown, just cook until soft; however, don’t overcook, since they will go for a second fry after you mash them. 
• Remove from the peanut oil and place inside Tostonera (if you do not have one, use 2 plantain peels to mash them. (see my slide) 
• Soak them for a second in salted water pat dry and fry again, this will make them super crispy. 
• Remember, treat Tostones as you would French fries, therefore, once they are fried a second time, you are ready to serve them.

 
Directions for the Ketchup/Mayo Sauce
In a small bowl mix together the garlic powder, pepper, Adobo, Mayonnaise, Ketchup and olive oil. Mix well and refrigerate until time to serve.
 
HACK:
If you have plenty of green plantains, you can freeze them after the first fry. Therefore, peel, cut and fry once, then mash and set aside to cool. Then put in plastic bags and freeze to use days or weeks later. You will only need to fry them for a second time until golden brown and crispy. 
 
The Sauce can also be used in sandwiches, French fries and anything fried you want to punch flavors, like dipping sauce for fried fish, etc.