INGREDIENTS 2 Green plantains Vegetable oil for frying Salt to taste Plate (to smash tostones) Topping suggestions: avocado and queso fresco DIRECTIONS Peel and cut the plantains into thick round slices (about an inch thick) *to peel: cut each end of the plantain and gently slice lengthwise down the middle to remove the peel but keep the plantain whole. Next, fry the plantain pieces in a pan( with enough oil to cover them) for about 2 minutes on each side. Place them on a plate with paper towel to remove the extra oil. Using the bottom of a plate, smash one piece at a time to get a round flat shape. Add the pieces back to the frying pan for the final fry. *Optional step to do right before* Dip each flattened piece into a bowl with salt and water. Adding this step helps make the Tostones extra crispy! Fry until golden and then lay them on a plate with a new paper towel to soak up excess oil. Sprinkle salt on top and they are now crispy and ready to eat! My favorite way to eat is with sliced avocados and crumbled "queso fresco" on top, but they are delicious with anything! You can even try them with the date or mango chutney shared!