Tostones (Double-Fried Green Plantains)

About This Recipe

Tostones (from the Spanish 'tostón', meaning 'toasted piece') are one of the most universally loved dishes of Cuba and the Caribbean — green plantains that are first fried briefly, flattened with a tostonera (or the bottom of a glass), then fried again until shatteringly crisp. Unlike ripe plantain (which is sweet), green plantain is starchy and neutral, producing something closer to a thick potato chip than a sweet fritter. Crispy, salted tostones with garlicky mojo sauce are irresistible.

Ingredients

Serves 4

• 3 largegreen plantains(peeled and cut into 3cm rounds)
• 400 mlvegetable oil(for frying)
• 1 tspsalt
• 4 clovesgarlic(minced, for mojo)
• 4 tbspolive oil(for mojo)
• 2 tbspsour orange or lime juice(for mojo)
• ½ tspcumin(for mojo)

Instructions

1. 1

   First fry

   Heat oil to 160°C. Fry plantain rounds for 3 minutes until pale golden and just cooked through. Remove and drain.

2. 2

   Flatten

   While hot, use the flat bottom of a glass or tostonera to flatten each piece to about 1cm thick.

   Press firmly and evenly. The hotter the plantain when you flatten, the better they hold together.

3. 3

   Second fry

   Increase oil to 190°C. Fry flattened pieces 2–3 minutes until deep golden and shatteringly crispy. Drain.

4. 4

   Make mojo

   Briefly sauté garlic in olive oil until fragrant (1 min). Off heat, add lime juice and cumin. Season.

5. 5

   Serve

   Salt tostones immediately. Serve with mojo sauce for dipping.

Variations

• •

  Tostones rellenos: hollow out each tostone and fill with shrimp, crab or black beans.

• •

  Top with curtido (pickled cabbage slaw) for a El Salvadorian twist.

• •

  Drizzle with chipotle mayo instead of mojo for a smoky version.

• •

  Vegetarian: swap the protein for roasted king oyster mushrooms, smoked tofu or cooked chickpeas — adjust seasoning slightly upward to compensate.

Storage

Best eaten immediately. Reheat in a 200°C oven for 5 minutes to restore crunch.

Frequently Asked Questions