This meal was inspired by my Dominican friend Naralis. Any time I came over to her house to hang, she would cook me this. Before eating tostones at her house, I would buy it from any restaurant already prepped and cooked. Once I learned how to cook it, I’ve been making it myself (when not too tired). Tostones are a well known staple of Latin American countries and the Caribbean, including Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and Panama. Tostones is the word derived from the Spanish word that means ‘to toast’. This term was used for a fifty cent coin in ‘Honduras’. Tostones are generally made with green plantains but many people also use ripe yellow plantains. One is much sweeter than the other. I’ve noticed when I buy them at hispanic restaurants, they are not always made to order. At Haitian restaurants, I’ve been able to get them fresh out of the grease. This meal is good to eat if you’re eating it right away. Once the tostones sit for a while, it becomes hard. It then loses its taste, in my opinion. Although this looks easy and quick, preparing the plantains took some time. First, I peeled the banana and cut them into pieces. After that I fried them lightly and took them out of the grease to mash. Once mashed I seasoned with salt and put them back in the grease to cook for a few more minutes. After about 20 minutes the tostones was done. As I prepared the second batch to fry I put on some sausages, onions, and peppers on the top of the stove and grilled them until they became a little burnt. I love that taste! How about you?