Patacones Recipe Twice Fried Plantain With Aji Sauce

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 RECIPE: TWICE-FRIED PLANTAIN WITH AJI SAUCE

Steps:

• Slice the ends off of each plantain, then slice the unpeeled plantains crosswise into 1 1/2-inch wide circles.
• Place the plantain slices in a bowl with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 4 cups water to soak for 1 hour.
• After soaking, peel the plantain slices . If the peel does not come off easily, make a slit through the skin with a sharp knife, then peel it off. Place the peeled plantain slices on paper towels and pat dry.
• In a heavy skillet, heat 1 to 2 inches of vegetable oil to 350 F.
• Place plantain slices in the oil and cook until golden (the plantain should sizzle gently). Work in batches if necessary and drain on paper towels.
• Use the bottom of a glass or bottle to flatten the slices of plantain into disks about 1/3- to 1/2-inch thick.
• Return flattened plantains to the hot oil and fry until a deep golden brown. Drain on paper towels, and sprinkle generously with kosher salt.
• Serve plantain warm with aji sauce for dipping.

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.