Fried plantains (tostones,patacones o fritos)

Directions

1. Peel the plantains and cut them into small cilindrical rolls.
2. Throw them in hot oil or lard (the traditional way is with lard, but many reasons including health and difficulty in finding natural lard have made it less common)
3. Once they feel crusty take them out and let them cool. Then squash them to a flat shape and throw again in the oil or lard until crunchy.
4. Don't let them cool down too much before the second fry or they'll turn hard.
5. Serve with some salt on top. The younger generations like them with ketchup.
6. Some like throw garlic (unpealed) in the hot oil to impregnate the plantains with it.