It’s gonna take more than a common cold to thwart the pregnancy cravings
I may be sick, but that doesn’t mean I don’t need my tostones. When I first blogged about how one of my strongest pregnancy food cravings has been tostones, I heard from a number of you who didn’t know what they were. I wanted some today so much that I roused myself from the couch to cook up a batch, and I thought I’d share them with you. They’re really easy to make. Don’t let the number of steps fool you–it’s a fairly quick process. I’m not participating in the Knitting Olympics myself, but I’d venture to say that tostones are just the sort of food a Knitting Olympian needs to sustain herself during the rigors of the competition ahead.
You’ll need green plantains. No, you can’t substitute with regular bananas. Well, theoretically you could follow these steps with bananas, but you’d end up with fried bananas. You would not have tostones. And the goal here, people, is a plate of yummy delicious tostones. So… Right… Start with green plantains. (They must be green. The yellow ones, already ripened, are used to make maduros. Also delicious, but a topic for another day.)
You’ll need canola oil. And sea salt. And paper towels. Ready?
I use this spatula tool to flatten my tostones. You can also use a small plate, saucer, or bottom of a large mug…any flat rigid surface will do.
They’re really great for breakfast or brunch served with eggs and rice with oil, salt, and onions. Also great for lunch or dinner with rice and beans. But I like them best on their own as a snack, with a big mug of tea and some sock knitting.
Sounds yummy!
Posted by: Carole
Holy fried plantains, Batman…those look good! I think it’s time for lunch.
Posted by: Libby
What a great pregnancy food – lots of fiber, potassium, nutrition! And warm up food for the winter knitting Olympians!
Posted by: Dianna
i’ve had tostones a bunch of times at a restaurant around here, but i didn’t realize they were quite so simple to make. i might have to do that sometime very soon. thanks for posting that.
Posted by: karen
Completely ignorant to plaintains… where do I find them? Do regular grocery stores carry them? Tostones sound and look delicious.
Posted by: Kim
I’ve tried fried plaintains before, but I didn’t know about double frying them. I put cinnamon and sugar on them so the kids would like them. They sorta tasted like sugar donuts.
I think I might try them again, only do it your way.
Thanks!
Posted by: LaurieM
Oh, my! Time for a trip to the farmers market! (Ah, it was time anyhoo.) Those sound delicious; thanks for sharing this recipe with us.
Posted by: Nanc
Thanks. NOW I know what to do with the plaintains they sell in the market.
Posted by: Kat
*drooling ever so slightly* MUST try those…
Posted by: Rachel H
There was a story in last week’s NY Times food section about an entrepreneur (in Queens, maybe?) who developed a plantain peeler and a tostone maker (I think it’s a mold/smasher kind of a thing). It was a cool story because the guy was so determined to make a go of it and eventually he succeeded.
Posted by: Becca
Oh my goodness gracious. I am so craving that right NOW.
Posted by: Em
Sounds yummy!
Posted by: Carole
Holy fried plantains, Batman…those look good! I think it’s time for lunch.
Posted by: Libby
What a great pregnancy food – lots of fiber, potassium, nutrition! And warm up food for the winter knitting Olympians!
Posted by: Dianna
i’ve had tostones a bunch of times at a restaurant around here, but i didn’t realize they were quite so simple to make. i might have to do that sometime very soon. thanks for posting that.
Posted by: karen
Completely ignorant to plaintains… where do I find them? Do regular grocery stores carry them? Tostones sound and look delicious.
Posted by: Kim
I’ve tried fried plaintains before, but I didn’t know about double frying them. I put cinnamon and sugar on them so the kids would like them. They sorta tasted like sugar donuts.
I think I might try them again, only do it your way.
Thanks!
Posted by: LaurieM
Oh, my! Time for a trip to the farmers market! (Ah, it was time anyhoo.) Those sound delicious; thanks for sharing this recipe with us.
Posted by: Nanc
Thanks. NOW I know what to do with the plaintains they sell in the market.
Posted by: Kat
*drooling ever so slightly* MUST try those…
Posted by: Rachel H
There was a story in last week’s NY Times food section about an entrepreneur (in Queens, maybe?) who developed a plantain peeler and a tostone maker (I think it’s a mold/smasher kind of a thing). It was a cool story because the guy was so determined to make a go of it and eventually he succeeded.
Posted by: Becca
Oh my goodness gracious. I am so craving that right NOW.
Posted by: Em
Oh man, it’s been too long since I had them. I just came back from shopping for the ingredients for arroz con gandules, why the heck didn’t I pick up some plaintains?? Um, I think I’d better run out to the store… again.
Posted by: Iris
Cari those look so GREAT! I have to try this!
Posted by: Laura
Wowee!! Those look deeeee-licious. A few weeks ago, I watched Daisy Martinez make them on her PBS show “Daisy Cooks!”. She topped them with some vinagre or sofrito (i can’t remember which one) and my mouth was watering!!
Posted by: Shana
yum. must get husband to make those for me soon.
Posted by: rebecca
Wow, I am seriously going to make those really soon. Like, the next time I can find some green plantains (and I think the second-closest store to my house might keep them in stock).
Posted by: susan
Oh God! If you weren’t pregnant, I’d track you down and steal those. I know better than to come between a pregnant woman and food, though!
Posted by: Liz
Thank you! My son had plantain chips at school and loved them – I’ll have to make these for him.
Posted by: Patti
Oh, baby…this Puerto Rican is making tostones and surullitos this weekend. In PR we also dip them in some salty water before carefully frying them for the second time.
I have to eat my tostones with the classic garlic-olive oil mojo or the very traditional ketchup-mayo sauce. Ha!
The memories….mmmmm.
Posted by: isel
Hmm, those do sound (and look) good. I’ve never heard of them before, either, but yum!
Posted by: –Deb
Wow! Those look awesome!
Posted by: emily
as one of those people who had to google the term when it was last mentioned, thank you for sharing how to prepare them! I don’t have anything in my memory to draw from and so I’m not sure what they’ll taste like. That alone is a good reason to try them….
(I’m not sure I’ll be able to find the Plantains, but I’ll keep an eye out. I might also have to dig around in this not-so-well stocked kitchen to see if I can find a suitable pan for frying…Mission Accepted.)
Posted by: Kristen
Those sound and look so good! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Dharma
Aiiiiiiiiiighhhhh… drooldrooldrool.
NEED TOSTONES!
Posted by: Kel
Oh, yum!
Posted by: Karma
I’ll be trying those! Jane
Posted by: jane
Oh man, it’s been too long since I had them. I just came back from shopping for the ingredients for arroz con gandules, why the heck didn’t I pick up some plaintains?? Um, I think I’d better run out to the store… again.
Posted by: Iris
Cari those look so GREAT! I have to try this!
Posted by: Laura
Wowee!! Those look deeeee-licious. A few weeks ago, I watched Daisy Martinez make them on her PBS show “Daisy Cooks!”. She topped them with some vinagre or sofrito (i can’t remember which one) and my mouth was watering!!
Posted by: Shana
yum. must get husband to make those for me soon.
Posted by: rebecca
Wow, I am seriously going to make those really soon. Like, the next time I can find some green plantains (and I think the second-closest store to my house might keep them in stock).
Posted by: susan
Oh God! If you weren’t pregnant, I’d track you down and steal those. I know better than to come between a pregnant woman and food, though!
Posted by: Liz
Thank you! My son had plantain chips at school and loved them – I’ll have to make these for him.
Posted by: Patti
Oh, baby…this Puerto Rican is making tostones and surullitos this weekend. In PR we also dip them in some salty water before carefully frying them for the second time.
I have to eat my tostones with the classic garlic-olive oil mojo or the very traditional ketchup-mayo sauce. Ha!
The memories….mmmmm.
Posted by: isel
Hmm, those do sound (and look) good. I’ve never heard of them before, either, but yum!
Posted by: –Deb
Wow! Those look awesome!
Posted by: emily
as one of those people who had to google the term when it was last mentioned, thank you for sharing how to prepare them! I don’t have anything in my memory to draw from and so I’m not sure what they’ll taste like. That alone is a good reason to try them….
(I’m not sure I’ll be able to find the Plantains, but I’ll keep an eye out. I might also have to dig around in this not-so-well stocked kitchen to see if I can find a suitable pan for frying…Mission Accepted.)
Posted by: Kristen
Those sound and look so good! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Dharma
Aiiiiiiiiiighhhhh… drooldrooldrool.
NEED TOSTONES!
Posted by: Kel
Oh, yum!
Posted by: Karma
I’ll be trying those! Jane
Posted by: jane
oh yum. must have some immediately!
Posted by: gleek
Mmmm…… will you make some for me?
Posted by: Cassie
Mmmm. Just. Mmmmm.
Posted by: claudia
Those look tasty! I think I’ve seen someone make them on a cooking show once, but now I definitely need to try them.
Posted by: Vicki
Finally, someone tells me something good I can do with plantains…the regular once-fried slices do nothing for me. I feel that crispy and salty, however, would change my mind.
Posted by: Lee Ann
Thank you for that most excellent illustrated tostones tutorial. I’ve wanted to try making them, but my lack of ability to visualize each step has stopped me.
Posted by: Lissy
Thanks for this! Those look good. I have yet to come across a plaintain here in Whiteyville, but I’ll keep my eyes peeled from now on.
Posted by: alison
i didn’t know about this! where does this recipe come from?
Posted by: betty
i so love plantains! i normally eat the super ripe ones but this recipe sounds delicious. thanks for posting!
Posted by: thuy
I’m so glad that someone had the cahones to ask about the Tostones. (Has it been said yet? I didn’t read all your comments and I’m not sure about the pronounciation of tostones… but in my mind, they rhyme.)
Hmmmm… I may have to give this a try. Salty and sweet… sounds good.
Posted by: Steph VW
Oh, I love tostones. And maduros. And arroz con dulce. And arroz con leche. And arroz con anything. Thanks for the inspiration! I think i know what we’re having for dinner tomorrow night.
Posted by: regina
Loved your tostones pics, they are my favorite ! Especially with mojito, not the drink but the garlic topping that is made in latin cooking, nothing better
Buen provecho !
Posted by: Maribel
Ayyyy mommi!!!! muy muy delicioso!!!I could go for these now!!! MMMmMMMmmmmmm reminds me of my childhood!
Posted by: Angie
you inspired the boy and i to celebrate our snowed-in sunday morning with a homemade tostones brunch. yum.
Posted by: heather
I love tostones…and haven’t had any in awile…I need to make a trip to the market now!
Posted by: Shelley
oh yum. must have some immediately!
Posted by: gleek
Mmmm…… will you make some for me?
Posted by: Cassie
Mmmm. Just. Mmmmm.
Posted by: claudia
Those look tasty! I think I’ve seen someone make them on a cooking show once, but now I definitely need to try them.
Posted by: Vicki
Finally, someone tells me something good I can do with plantains…the regular once-fried slices do nothing for me. I feel that crispy and salty, however, would change my mind.
Posted by: Lee Ann
Thank you for that most excellent illustrated tostones tutorial. I’ve wanted to try making them, but my lack of ability to visualize each step has stopped me.
Posted by: Lissy
Thanks for this! Those look good. I have yet to come across a plaintain here in Whiteyville, but I’ll keep my eyes peeled from now on.
Posted by: alison
i didn’t know about this! where does this recipe come from?
Posted by: betty
i so love plantains! i normally eat the super ripe ones but this recipe sounds delicious. thanks for posting!
Posted by: thuy
I’m so glad that someone had the cahones to ask about the Tostones. (Has it been said yet? I didn’t read all your comments and I’m not sure about the pronounciation of tostones… but in my mind, they rhyme.)
Hmmmm… I may have to give this a try. Salty and sweet… sounds good.
Posted by: Steph VW
Oh, I love tostones. And maduros. And arroz con dulce. And arroz con leche. And arroz con anything. Thanks for the inspiration! I think i know what we’re having for dinner tomorrow night.
Posted by: regina
Loved your tostones pics, they are my favorite ! Especially with mojito, not the drink but the garlic topping that is made in latin cooking, nothing better
Buen provecho !
Posted by: Maribel
Ayyyy mommi!!!! muy muy delicioso!!!I could go for these now!!! MMMmMMMmmmmmm reminds me of my childhood!
Posted by: Angie
you inspired the boy and i to celebrate our snowed-in sunday morning with a homemade tostones brunch. yum.
Posted by: heather
I love tostones…and haven’t had any in awile…I need to make a trip to the market now!
Posted by: Shelley
Hi, good food there. I’m a sucker for some good mofongo, too. BTW I saw your blog mentioned on some blogs from Spain, saying that you have been there? If that’s the case, mi bitácora sale en español. Chau.
Posted by: EK
I want one. Now. Now now now now!!!
Posted by: NWJR
Never had tostones before but I’ve been craving them since you posted this. I could only find ripened plantains. Would they be terrible if I used them?
Posted by: Liz
OMG!!! There is a Cuban place near my house that serves these plus the fried yucca with something called Banana Ketchup. God. Can’t talk- hungry.
Posted by: Kay
mmmmmmm….. plantains!!! My Husband’s Grandmother is from the Virging Islands where they eat plantaines all the time. She came when my daughter was born and cooked for us one night. She made the best chicken and rice w/ vegetables type stuff and fried plantains! MMMMMMMMMM! it was gooooooood! I had never had plantains, I told my husband that those fried bananas sure were good!
Posted by: amy
Hope you feel better soon!
Thanks for the recipe. I also wonder if you have the recipe for feather and fan socks? I’d like to try something new for my next journey to sockland. (I’ve only knitted 5 socks so far)
Posted by: Sarah
OK, so I should NOT have read this post an hour before dinner. My tummy is growling really loudly now, and I think it’s scaring the cats.
Posted by: Sneaksleep
Oh my goodness … Platanos!!! Delicious!!!
Your website is absolutely wonderful, and I was even more thrilled to see this post. I’ll definitely be back and hope to keep in touch here.
Congratulations on your pregnancy and big hugs to your dogs. I’ve added your link to my website and look forward to reading more of your posts. 🙂
It’s so nice to “meet” you here online. 🙂
Posted by: Michelle
Those look really yummy. I’m going to have to try those. I’m going to particularly enjoy the squishing them flat step.
“But I like them best on their own as a snack, with a big mug of tea and some sock knitting.”
… Yummy, sock knitting…
Posted by: Bethieee
I just wanted to drop you a line and let you know that I made these (tostones) this weekend and they are delicious! (Of course, you knew that already.) I needed just a little something more: a dipping sauce or similar, so I added a little salsa to a little more sour cream. YUM! Perfect.
Thanks for the recipe.
Posted by: Nanc
Oh My God! Tostones. I LOVE tostones. I could eat whole trees. Unfortunately I live in Illinois. I don’t see them all that often. Not when they’re green anyway. Have you tried sprinkling garlic salt instead? Utterly divine. What I most love is frying breaded chicken first, then frying tostones afterward in the same oil. The bread crumbs adhere to the tostones fabulously. Yum!
Puerto Rican comfort food at its best.
Unfortunately I’m on Jenny Craig now and they don’t do tostones.
Posted by: Jacquie
I am soo making these this weekendmaybe tonight! Thanks for the recipe.
Posted by: Katie Sciarrino
Hi, good food there. I’m a sucker for some good mofongo, too. BTW I saw your blog mentioned on some blogs from Spain, saying that you have been there? If that’s the case, mi bitácora sale en español. Chau.
Posted by: EK
I want one. Now. Now now now now!!!
Posted by: NWJR
Never had tostones before but I’ve been craving them since you posted this. I could only find ripened plantains. Would they be terrible if I used them?
Posted by: Liz
OMG!!! There is a Cuban place near my house that serves these plus the fried yucca with something called Banana Ketchup. God. Can’t talk- hungry.
Posted by: Kay
mmmmmmm….. plantains!!! My Husband’s Grandmother is from the Virging Islands where they eat plantaines all the time. She came when my daughter was born and cooked for us one night. She made the best chicken and rice w/ vegetables type stuff and fried plantains! MMMMMMMMMM! it was gooooooood! I had never had plantains, I told my husband that those fried bananas sure were good!
Posted by: amy
Hope you feel better soon!
Thanks for the recipe. I also wonder if you have the recipe for feather and fan socks? I’d like to try something new for my next journey to sockland. (I’ve only knitted 5 socks so far)
Posted by: Sarah
OK, so I should NOT have read this post an hour before dinner. My tummy is growling really loudly now, and I think it’s scaring the cats.
Posted by: Sneaksleep
Oh my goodness … Platanos!!! Delicious!!!
Your website is absolutely wonderful, and I was even more thrilled to see this post. I’ll definitely be back and hope to keep in touch here.
Congratulations on your pregnancy and big hugs to your dogs. I’ve added your link to my website and look forward to reading more of your posts. 🙂
It’s so nice to “meet” you here online. 🙂
Posted by: Michelle
Those look really yummy. I’m going to have to try those. I’m going to particularly enjoy the squishing them flat step.
“But I like them best on their own as a snack, with a big mug of tea and some sock knitting.”
… Yummy, sock knitting…
Posted by: Bethieee
I just wanted to drop you a line and let you know that I made these (tostones) this weekend and they are delicious! (Of course, you knew that already.) I needed just a little something more: a dipping sauce or similar, so I added a little salsa to a little more sour cream. YUM! Perfect.
Thanks for the recipe.
Posted by: Nanc
Oh My God! Tostones. I LOVE tostones. I could eat whole trees. Unfortunately I live in Illinois. I don’t see them all that often. Not when they’re green anyway. Have you tried sprinkling garlic salt instead? Utterly divine. What I most love is frying breaded chicken first, then frying tostones afterward in the same oil. The bread crumbs adhere to the tostones fabulously. Yum!
Puerto Rican comfort food at its best.
Unfortunately I’m on Jenny Craig now and they don’t do tostones.
Posted by: Jacquie
I am soo making these this weekendmaybe tonight! Thanks for the recipe.
Posted by: Katie Sciarrino