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1
Get the plantains ready for peeling by slicing the ends off.
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2
Cut each in half crosswise, and then make 4 long slits, just piercing the skin, down the length of each piece of plantain.
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3
Douse with warm water and soak for 10 minutes.
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4
Peel and cut on the diagonal into 1/2-inch-thick slices.
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5
Heat the oil til hot but not smoking in a high-sided 12-inch skillet set over medium-high heat.
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6
Slide in the plantains and cook for 3 minutes, or til theyre a light golden color.
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7
Take the pan off the heat.
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8
Fish out a few plantain slices at a time and sandwich them between 2 layers of parchment paper.
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9
Let them rest for a minute.
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10
Then, while theyre still pretty hot, use a potholder to protect your hand while you press down on each parchment-encased plantain slice to smash it as thin as you can.
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11
(If youre making the tostones ahead of time, stop here.
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12
Youll be cooking them again in the same pan and oil to crisp and warm them right before serving.)
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13
Start whipping up the guacamole by tossing the tomatoes, onions, garlic, jalapenos, and cilantro together in a bowl.
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14
(Cover and refrigerate at this point if you want to do this ahead of time.)
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15
Cut the avocados in half lengthwise all the way around, and twist the halves apart.
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16
Pluck out the pit and then scoop out the flesh.
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17
Save the hollowed-out avocado shells to use as natural containers for the finished guacamole.
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18
Put the avocado flesh in a large bowl and mash with a fork, leaving it a bit chunky.
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19
Fold in the tomato mixture and give it a stir.
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20
Season it up with salt, pepper, lime juice, and Tabasco.
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21
Right before serving, set the skillet with the oil back on the stove over medium-high heat.
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22
When the oil is hot, slip some of the smashed plantains back into the oil without crowding, and fry for about 3 minutes, flipping them over in the oil to get them crisp and golden brown.
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23
Drain on paper towels and season with salt and pepper while theyre still warm.
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24
Continue frying the remaining plantains, adding more oil if necessary.
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25
Mound the guacamole in a bowl or in the hollowed-out avocado shells, and ring it with warm tostones.