Patacones: Fried Green Plantains

• servings: 4 servings
• active time: 20 minutes
• total time: 26 minutes

Ingredients

1 green plantain, peeled and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch slices (discs)

2 cups cooking oil such as canola or avocado oil

Sea salt (such as Maldon) or kosher salt

Directions

Line a plate with a double layer of paper towels.

Heat oil in the skillet over medium heat. When the oil shimmers, carefully add the sliced plantains, let them fry for 3 minutes and transfer them to the paper-towel-lined plate. Leave the oil in the pan for the final step.

Lay two 12-15-inch pieces of plastic wrap - one on top of the other - on your kitchen counter. Place one fried plantain between the layers, centered. Holding a cutting board with both hands, place it over the plantain - centered - and press down firmly, to flatten the plantain to a thinness of about 1/8-inch. Open the top layer of plastic and then reach under the bottom layer of plastic to lift the plantain so you can gently remove it and transfer it to a plate. Repeat the process, one plantain at a time. This step can be done several hours ahead.Â

Just before serving, heat the oil over medium heat until shimmering. Fry the flattened plantains - a few at a time - for 3 minutes, flipping them over halfway through. Transfer to paper towels. Season with salt as soon as they come out of the pan. Serve immediately with dips or topping such as guacamole, salsa or ceviche.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3 patacones
• Calories: 132
• Total Fat: 8.9 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Sodium: 292.5 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 14.3 g
• Dietary Fiber: 1 g
• Total Sugars: 6.7 g
• Protein: 0.6 g