Easy Colombian Patacones Or Green Plantains Recipes

EASY COLOMBIAN PATACONES OR GREEN PLANTAINS

Steps:

• Slit the tips of the plantains on both ends. Then wrap them in wet paper or clean cloth towels and microwave on high for about 4-5 minutes. Then let them rest, still wrapped for another 5 minutes. Once they are cool enough to handle, unwrap the plantains.
• Pull them out of their skins, and slice them into rounds about 1/2-inch thick. A few at a time, place the pieces between two cutting boards (or use a clean mallet) and smash them into thin slices. Then lightly salt them.
• Heat the oil in a large, heavy pan until it is quite hot but not smoking. Add about half of the plantain slices, lower the heat, and cook them for 4 minutes, turning halfway through. They should be lightly browned when done. Drain on paper towels
• While still warm, add whatever toppings you are using (hogao, ropa vieja, gauamole, etc.) or set out patacones and toppings for everyone to put on the patacones/plantains themselves.
• Heat the oil in a small, heavy saucepan. Then add the diced onion, lower the light and cook for about 5 minutes until the onions is quite soft and translucent.
• Add the tomato, salt and seasoning. Continue cooking until the onions and tomato are basically indistinguishable.

PATACONES (FRIED GREEN PLANTAINS)

Steps:

• Peel the plantains and cut cross-wise into 1/2" slices
• In a medium heavy pot, add enough vegetable oil to cover the plantain slices and heat the oil over medium high heat.
• Add the plantain slices to the heated oil in a single layer. Fry for about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Carefully remove the plantains with a slotted spoon, and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.
• Let the patacones cool for 3 minutes. Then, place the plantains on a piece of plastic wrap and cover with another piece of plastic wrap. With a flat pot cover, press well on the pieces of plantain, flattening them to ¼" thickness.
• Dip each slice in salted water. Then using tongs add them back in the hot oil in a single layer (you may need to work in batches) and fry for an additional 3 minutes on each side. Be careful when you fry the soaked plantains, as droplets of water will cause the oil to splatter.
• Remove the patacones with slotted spoon and transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb oil, sprinkle with salt, to taste, transfer to a serving plate and serve hot with guacamole, tomato sauce or salsa.

PATACONES DE COLOMBIA (FRIED PLANTAINS)

Steps:

• Place a plate, upside-down, onto a work surface.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry plantain slices in the hot oil until slightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer plantain slices using a slotted spoon onto the upside-down plate, reserving oil in the skillet. Place a second plate, right-side up, onto the plantains. Smash the plantain slices by gently pressing the top plate into the bottom plate.
• Place the smashed plantains in the hot oil and fry until browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer fried plantains to a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle salt over plantains.