Patacones

This recipe is for fried plantains that have been smashed and fried twice. For the best results, you must use very ripe plantains. This recipe makes 6 Patacones.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup vegetable oil for frying (olive oil will not make them crisp)
  • 1 ripe plantain, peeled and cut into 1-inch rounds
  • Salt to taste

Directions

  1. Place a plate upside-down where you’ll be working.
  2. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  3. Fry plantain slices in the oil until slightly browned, about 2 to 3 minutes per side.
  4. Transfer plantain slices with a slotted spoon onto the upside-down plate, while keeping the oil in the skillet.
  5. Place a second plate, right-side up, onto the plantains and smash the slices by pressing the top plate onto the bottom one.
  6. Put the smashed plantains back into the hot oil and fry until browned, for another 2 to 3 minutes per side. 3
  7. Transfer fried plantains to a paper towel-lined plate and allow to drain.
  8. Sprinkle salt over plantains to taste and serve immediately.