Tostones – Puerto Rican twice-fried plantains with a crispy exterior and soft interior paired with seasoned shrimps and pineapple guacamole. Powerful flavors come together to create an explosion of flavor in your mouth. One bite and you are hooked for LIFE!
Every time I had a meal with plantains served on the side, as a main dish or an appetizer, I am a whole lot happier.
Fried plantains that are sweet or slightly sweet is my weakness – I just can’t keep my hands off of it! If I had a magic wand I would make plantains the healthiest fruit in the universe, until then… I will eat it in moderation.
And because of my deep love with plantains, I’ve also mastered the most basic thing that seems to boggle some people – how to peel a green plantain like a pro? Here we go…
You need to start cutting off the ends of the plantain and discard the tips. Then hold the plantain firmly and slit the peel along the length of the plantain using the tip of the knife. Remember that you only need to cut as deep as the peel itself. So, control my friends. You gotta control! Finally, remove the plantain and cut them into thick round shapes. Easy, right?
Now you know how to peel plantains, let’s talk more about it. Shall we?
Plantain is a starchy, wholesome fruit that is a staple food in so many parts of the world particularly in places like Africa, the Caribbean, South America, Latin America, and India. It’s pretty popular.
They are very versatile because they can be eaten sweet or savory. You can basically add them to almost anything. Trust me! I have over 30 recipes here with plantains. Perhaps, that is also why some would consider it as veggie since plantains are added even on main dishes and treated as vegetables -Nah! In my books it’s a starchy side.
With all the plantain recipes, here’s one of the popular ways it is prepared in Puerto Rico and other parts of the Island, Central and South America. They are fried not once but TWICE! Why? To get a super crispy exterior and soft interior.
But all the goodness doesn’t just end there. For a more appealing meal, I topped the tostones with seasoned shrimps (my kind of shrimps.. 😉 ) and a burst of pineapple guacamole for a perfect blend of texture. Your mouth is going to Sing with JOY!
No rocket science in cooking these gorgeous-looking shrimps. Just season it with your favorite seasonings, I used my all-around Creole Cajun Seasoning here, to add boldness and flavor to these shrimps. You decide.
For the guacamole, if you can get hold of fresh pineapples, the better. Fresh pineapples have the sweetest and freshest juice compared to packed or canned ones. But either way, this pineapple guacamole blends well with the seasoned shrimps and the savory plantains. IF you are a guacamole purist leave out the pineapple it’s still amazing without it. Tried both versions and it works as well.
Once you serve these to your guest they are not going to want to leave your house – Seriously. Totally a crowd-pleaser, perfect for entertaining, parties, and game day!
Enjoy one bite at a time! 😉
Tips and Notes:
- If you don’t have those digital kitchen thermometers, you can test the heat by flicking a tiny bit of plantain into the oil. If it bubbles immediately, you’re good to go.
- The perfect way to flatten the plantains is by using a tostonera (specifically designed to flatten tostones) or you may also use a meat mallet, the bottom of a heavy plate, bottle, or skillet. I used a measuring cup
- Do not overcrowd the pan and instead cook them in batches.
Watch How to Make It
Tostones ( Twice fried plantains)
Ingredients
Tostones
- 2-3 unripe plantains
- salt , seasoned, garlic salt
- freshly ground pepper
- Oil for deep-frying
Pineapple guacamole
- 2 large avocado cut in half , pits removed
- 3/4 finely diced pineapple (8 ounce, 227grams crushed pineapple, packed in juice ) , use juice as need for desired thickness
- 1 clove garlic minced
- ¼ cup minced jalapenos , optional
- ¼ cup minced red onion
- Juice of ½ lime or lemon
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- ¼ teaspoon cumin , optional
- 1 tablespoon olive oil , optional
- salt to taste
- 1-2 pounds (450 -900grams) shrimp , (I used extra large shrimp- 21-25 )
Instructions
Pineapple Guacamole
- Scoop avocado into a bowl.
- Mash with a fork until you have a smooth and chunky texture.
- Drain the crushed pineapple and add to avocado
- Add lime juice, jalapeño, cumin, onion, garlic, cilantro leaves, salt and mix gently.
Tostones
- Cut the plantains into about 4 -5 thick round shapes.
- In a large, sauce pan pour vegetable oil, until it is at least 3 inches (or about 5 centimeters) high, place on medium heat until oil is 375 degrees.
- Gentle drop the plantain into the oil. Do not overcrowd the pan. Do so in batches.
- Fry for a few minutes until lightly brown about 3- 4 minutes each side
- Use a large spoon or something like that to take it out of the oil. Remove the plantains from the pan and flatten the plantains
- Place tostones on a chopping board or flat surface, and press down on it firmly with the back of a heavy plate, bottle or skillet until flattened to about 1/4-inch thick. Repeat with the remaining slices.
- Refry the flattened pieces in the 375°F. oil, turning them occasionally, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until they are golden, transfer them with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain, and season them with garlic salt and pepper
- Saute Shrimp
- Generously season the shrimp with creole spice or your favorite seasoning . Heat about 2 Tablespoons of oil over medium heat in a heavy bottomed Dutch or skillet. Sauté for about 5 minutes shrimp set aside.
Nutrition Information:
Originally posted in October 2013, this recipe has been updated with new photos, pictures and ingredients .
Sharon says
I loved it. Plantains and avocados are my favorites.
Immaculate Bites says
Aww sooo good! 🙂
Arlene Appadu says
I tried this recipe it was a hit my family thank you so much for sharing it
ImmaculateBites says
You are welcome, Arlene. I am glad you loved it!
Colette says
Have not tried this recipe yet but my question is this the sweet plantains you mentioned. Mu husband & I ate in a Cuban restaurant and he ordered this thinking they were sweet. He did not like the starchy tasting one. If this is the wrong recipe can you direct me to the right one?
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Colette,
If your husband likes sweet plantains then he should try this one out Fried Plantains
Renee P. says
Hello: Ms. Imma, so delighted to have discovered your website. Your recipes are wonderful!
This will be my goto for now on!
Thank you, for sharing!
imma africanbites says
Welcome to the blog, Renee! And thank you for the trust. Hope you’re having a fantastic weekend!
Steffi says
Maybe a stupid question but i am wondering about an equally as flavourful substitute for the shrimp. Can’t sell those to my partner. 😛 Would chicken bites take to the same seasoning? They won’t be as juicy but maybe still be good?
ImmaculateBites says
Absolutely, not a stupid question at all Steffi. I made it recently with chicken and it worked just fine .
Carol says
I hav’nt had this before but i will make it and post
imma africanbites says
Looking forward for you to try it.
Ana M. Rodriguez says
deliciosos tostones de platanos
ImmaculateBites says
Gracias!!
Vickie says
What is considered a serving size?
ImmaculateBites says
About 3-4 Tostones.
Dorita Rogers says
Can this be made with regular Bannans? Really not fussy about Plantians
ImmaculateBites says
Do you mean unripe bananas? If so, yes you can.
Abiola Olawepo says
I made this recipe today and was oh so good, the burst of unique flavors married with the crispy yet soft TOSTONES. This recipe was magic. Thanks for sharing ❤
Jastan says
Good and yummy food ….I crown your recipe s
Melissa Torres says
This sounds amazing! I can’t wait to try this out. thanks for sharing!
imma africanbites says
Looking forward to hear your thoughts on this, Melissa. Thanks for stopping by!
Melissa Torres says
I prepared them for a BBQ and they were a hit! You definitely need to make them close to the time you want to serve them though. Glad I tried them!