February 2010 | Cooking Diva | The Blog of Tropical Chef, Melissa DeLeon

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Patacones 101 - Tostones (ES / EN) Twice Fried Plantains

If you have ever wondered how to prepare patacones, this post is for you. If you have dreamed enough about a crunchy patacón and salivated while others prepare this tropical delicacy, this is your lucky day. We have prepared this pictorial, step by step tutorial that will make you the star of the kitchen. People will rave about you and your patacones! The best part is that patacones are delicious by themselves or as a side dish with your favorite meat, fish or chicken dish.

Este post se lo dedico a mis lectores que desde hace rato quería una guía para hacer patacones. Este es su día de suerte! Hoy aprenderán a preparar unos crujientes, doraditos patacones que los convertirán en los reyes o reinas de la cocina. La mejor parte es que, los patacones se disfrutan solitos o como acompañante de su plato preferido de carne, pescado o pollo.

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#1: (EN) Preparation is very simple! Get a couple of green, firm, fresh plantains. If the plantains are large, you will get about 5 patacones from each plantain, enough for one hungry person. This is probably the most important step, selecting the plantain. If you use yellowish plantains the patacones won't be crunchy. Some plantains are really curved, that will only make the peeling of the skin more difficult, so try to get them as straight as possible. Wash them and pat them dry with paper towels.
#1: (ES) La preparación es muy sencilla! Seleccionar platanos verdes, firmes, frescos y que no esten tan curvos pues eso solo dificultaría el proceso de pelarlos. Si los plátanos son grandes, uno rendirá aproximadamente 5 patacones, suficiente para una persona con hambre. Para que queden crujientes, evitar los plátanos pintones o amarillos. Enjuagarlos y secarlos con papel toalla.

#2 (EN): Heat the oil in a deep saucepan, or deep fryer. The oil has to be abundant. For suggestions on the Best Oils for Cooking read our previous post on the subject. With a sharp knife take the end tips off the plantains, then cut it in half. Make a transverse cut of the green skin, make sure it is only deep enough to cut the skin. Then, with the help of the knife loosen the skin in one side and pull with your hand in order to take it all off. Remove any remaining skin with the knife. Once you have peeled the plantains, cut them in 2 inches pieces.
#2 (ES): Calentar el aceice en una paila, cacerola o en un deep fryer. El aceite tiene que ser abundante. Con un cuchillo filoso cortar las puntitas de los extremos del plátano. Cortar por mitad y pasar una linea transversal con el cuchillo en la cáscara. Asegurarse de que el corte sea sólamente a la cáscara. Desprender la cáscara con la mano, o con la ayuda del cuchillo desprender la misma por el corte que se hizo. Remover cualquier rastro de cáscara que haya quedado.

#3 (EN): Fry the pieces of plantain in abundant hot oil or lard until they are golden colored, 2-3 minutes. You’ve got to be there watching all the time, never leave unattended. Be careful with the hot oil, if you are using tongs, do not leave inside the pan. Once the plantain pieces acquire the golden color, remove them from the hot oil and drain the excess of oil on paper towels.
#3 (ES): freir las piezas de plátano en abundante aceite caliente hasta que adquieran un color amarillo-dorado, de 2-3 minutos. Tiene que estar bajo supervisión constante, y ser muy cuidadosos con el aceite caliente. Si están utilizando tenazas o cucharas de metal, nunca las dejen dentro del aceite caliente. Una vez que el plátano adquiera el color deseado, remover del aceite caliente y escurrir el exceso de aceite en papel toalla.

#4 (EN): with the help of a press to make patacones (like one pictured above), press them flat. If you do not have one of these handy tools, you can use a glass or bottle bottom, covered with aluminum foil and then sprayed with cooking oil. My great grandmother used to have a round black river rock in the kitchen that was the perfect kitchen tool at the time, for making patacones and crushing spices and garlic.
#4 (ES): aplastar los trozos de plátano fritos con una prensa para hacer patacones. Si no tienen una, pueden utilizar una botella o vaso, cubierta la base con papel de aluminio y luego rociado con aceite en spray. Mi bisabuela solía tener una piedra negra de río en su cocina para aplastar los patacones y tambien para triturar ajo y especias para condimentar.

This is another type of patacones press. They are really handy to make patacones baskets to serve as snacks or appetizers in parties. I have seen the little baskets filled with ceviche, seasoned meats, salads, relishes, etc.

Esta es otro tipo de prensa para hacer patacones. Son muy útiles para preparar canastitas de patacones que luego serán rellenas con salsas, ceviche, carnes deshilachadas, ensaladillas, etc.

#5 (EN): now it is time to fry the patacones for the second time, it would make them crunchy. The oil must be hot and abundant too. This time they will puff up a little bit and aquire a dark yellow color, it would take a couple of minutes only. Remember not to leave it unattended! Once it reaches the desired color, remove from the hot oil and drain the excess grease on paper towels. Add salt to taste and serve with your favorite dipping sauce or hot sauce.
#5 (ES): ahora les toca freir los patacones por segunda vez, lo que los hará crujientes. El aceite deberá estar caliente y ser abundante. En esta ocasión los patacones se inflarán un poco y adquirirán un color amarillo oscuro, lo que tomará un par de minutos. Favor recordar no desatender la estufa! Una vez que hayan alcanzado el color y textura deseada, removerlos cuidadosamente del aceite y escurrir el exceso de aceite en papel toalla. Agregar sal al gusto y servir con su salsa favorita.

Enjoy your patacones!

Un abrazo,

Melissa

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