Baked Tostones With Mojo Sauce

Popular throughout the Caribbean, and Latin America, Tostones or Patacones are twice-fried (in this case twice-baked) green plantains that are crispy, salty and delicious.
This recipe offers a healthier option, instead of deep frying the plantains, we are going to bake them and I’m going to give you a trick that will make the tostones taste just as the fried version of them that we all know about.

Ingredients:

For the Tostones:

• 1 Green plantain

• 1/4 cup of Olive oil

• 2 garlic cloves 

• Salt to taste

For the Mojo sauce:

• 1/4 Olive oil

• 1 Lime or lemon

• 1/2 Teaspoon of cumin

• 1/2 Teaspoon of Oregano or Thyme

• 1 Garlic clove

• Salt & Pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Preheat the oven to 420°F. 

• Trim the ends off the plantain and make a cut along two sides deep enough to cut through the skins. Microwave the plantain for 3 minutes. The skin will become black (don’t panic!)

• Peel and cut the plantain into 1/2 inch thick slices while warm. You should get about 14 pieces.

• In a bowl, mix the plantains with the fresh minced garlic, salt and half of the 1/4 cup of olive oil. 

• Place them on a baking sheet and bake for 7 minutes.

• Take them out of the oven and smash the plantains (this needs to be done while hot.) You can use the bottom of a glass or a cup for this step.

• Place the plantains back into a bowl and add the remaining half of the 1/4 cup of olive oil. Toss them around and add a bit sea salt. 

• Place them back on the baking sheet and bake for another 12 minutes (or until golden). Now the tostones are ready :)

Now prepare your sauce by mixing all the ingredients in a blender and serve on the side of your plantains. 

Buen Provecho!