What is a tostone? These are twice fried green plantains, and served usually as a side dish.
This starchy fruit is a very underserved cousin of the banana. A major food staple in the Caribbean, parts of Africa and coastal regions of North and South America. Highly nutritious, packed with fiber, potassium, vitamin C, and beta-carotene, along with other vitamins like B6 and minerals such as iron. The flavor and texture when cooked, is very similar to good 'ol potatoes.
Ingredients
3 green plantains
avocado oil for frying
sea salt
20-25 raw shrimp, shelled and deveined
3 limes
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or more to taste)
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
3 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro
1 medium ripe avocado
3-4 tablespoons Trader Joe's Green Dragon Sauce (or more to taste)
Directions
Place the shrimp into a medium bowl and marinate with the juice of 2 limes, cayenne pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, 2 tablespoons avocado oil and fresh cilantro. Set aside while you prepare the tostones.
Heat oil in a medium saucepan, enough to cover the bottom plus a little more.
Peel and slice the plantains into two-inch chunks. Fry on both sides for 3-4 minutes, remove from oil onto a paper towel. Sprinkle with salt.
Gently flatten the plantains between two small plates, or use a plantain press.
Return to pan and fry again for 1-2 minutes on both sides. Remove and drain on paper towels.
Remove most of the leftover oil from the same pan and saute the shrimp on medium-high in its own marinade. It should take 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat.
Peel and destone the avocado, place in a food processor or use an immersion blender to combine the avocado with the juice of 1/2 a lime, and the Green Dragon Sauce. Blend until very smooth and creamy.
Place the tostones on a serving dish, spoon or pipe a little of the avocado mixture on each tostone. Top with one shrimp, squeeze a little more lime juice and sprinkle with more cayenne pepper (if desired).
