Patacones (fried Green Plantains) - Panamá

Total Time: 45 mins Preparation Time: 25 mins Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• 4 large unripe plantains (green)
• 4 cups warm water
• salt
• 2 cups vegetable oil
• ketchup (for serving)

Recipe

• 1 put the 4 cups warm water & ~1 tbsp salt in a large bowl. set aside.
• 2 cut ends from each plantain w/ a small, sharp knife, then cut lengthwise slit thru peel. beginning at slit, pry off peel (getting your thumb between the peel & the plantain helps).
• 3 cut plantains crosswise into 1-inch thick pieces & place in bowl of warm salted water. let sit 15-20 minute (this step adds flavor & also gets rid of some of the starch from the plantains.).
• 4 heat oil (enough so that it is about 1/2" deep) in a 10-12" heavy skillet over medium heat until the oil is just hot enough to sizzle when a small "tester" piece of plantain is added.
• 5 remove plantain pieces from the water & blot (completely) dry w/ paper towels.
• 6 place plantain pieces in the oil (do not crowd the skillet w/ plantains; do 2 batches if needed). fry plantains, turning occasionally w/ tongs, until tender & just beginning to turn golden color, ~5-7 minutes.
• 7 remove plantain pieces w/ tongs to a flat (non-stick) surface. spray the bottom of a glass tumbler or mug w/ non-stick cooking spray. using gentle pressure, flatten each plantain piece to ~1/4" thickness. slide glass off of plantain.
• 8 return flattened plantains to oil (over medium heat). fry (turning occasionally w/ tongs) until plantains are golden brown in color, 3-4 minutes.
• 9 transfer plantains to a plate w/ a fresh paper towel, but do not blot. sprinkle w/ salt & serve immediately, w/ ketchup (optional).