Patacones (My Favorite Plantain Appetizers)

Patacones (twice-fried green plantains) are a popular side dish in Panama.

Plantains can be found in almost all grocery stores in the produce section. I will admit that living in Arizona the size varies depending on where I buy them. I generally try to find larger plantains however, it has proven difficult. In Panama, we call them Patacon/es but in other countries, they call them savory tostones. There is no hiding the fact that they are my favorite plantain appetizers.

Southeast Asia is said to be the birthplace of plantains. The horn plantain and the French plantain are two types of plantains that are assumed to have a shared origin. Both varieties are cultivated in Central America, Africa, Egypt, and India. Chinese laborers came to help build the Panama Canal in the nineteenth century. Several stayed in Panama after their contracts ended and started boosting the local economy by building stores and restaurants. We see their influence in many Panamanian dishes, including plantains.

What pairs well with plantains?

There is honestly no limit to the variety of dishes you can eat with plantain slices. You can pair patacones with a staple dish like carne guisada (beef stewed in a tomato sauce with some combination of vegetables.) Also salchichas guisada, stewed hot dogs that are cooked similarly to the carne guisada. And ropa vieja. Eating the patacones in the stewed meat sauce is the best part.

What is a great way to serve a green plantain?

If you are looking to switch it up a little bit one of my favorite plantain appetizers is patacones rellenos (tostones rellenos.) Which are stuffed plantain cups. The plantain is first fried before being mashed into a cup shape. Afterward, you add your preferred filling. Something simple like guacamole or salsa. Or maybe guacamole topped with a piece of cooked shrimp.

What is the best way to eat plantain?

Plantains are very versatile because you can eat them at all stages. When fried (fried plantains,) green unripe plantains have a potato-like flavor and a starchy texture (think about those bags of plantain chips.) Yellow plantains caramelize when fried because they get sweeter as they ripen. Desserts often contain very ripe plantains.

What goes great with fried sweet plantains

One of the most popular sweet plantain recipes is platanos en tentacion, or caramelized plantains. The ingredients needed are ripe plantains, butter, rum, sugar, and vanilla. I’ve also seen some variations where people use a can of coke instead of rum. You cook them until they are golden brown. The sweetness of the plantains goes great with a dish of rice with meat.

How do you prepare patacones/plantains?

Plantains can be tricky to peel. First, cut off both ends of the plantain and cut a slit down the length of the peel. Remove the peel of the plantain, and cut the plantain into 1/2-inch slices. Heat 1/2 inch of oil in a skillet on medium-high heat. Add your sliced plantains to the hot olive oil, and fry for about 3-4 minutes per side. Once they have started to brown remove the plantain from the heat and place them on a plate lined with a paper towel to absorb excess oil.

Once cooled, use a plantain smasher or cup with a flat bottom to squish the plantain. I personally use a hot sauce bottle that I have cleaned. Place the smashed plantains back into the frying pan, occasionally flipping to cook both sides, until patacones are crispy and golden. Turn down the heat if you notice they’re burning. Add salt to taste and serve.

Plantain appetizers can easily be the star of your next event and/or meal

These patacones are best served hot. Here is the full recipe.

Posted By: Kisha Gulley · In: Afro-Latinx Culture, Featured, Recipes