If you love eating platanos with everything (like I do) then you are going to love these Stuffed Plantain Cups (Tostones Rellenos). If you love eating tostones you are going to love Tostones Rellenos. These adorable 2 bite appetizers are beautiful little plantain cups filled with ropa vieja and topped with pickled red onion, avocado and cotija cheese.
I have said it before and I will say it again, I love appetizers. If I could eat a menu of appetizers for dinner every night I would. I love eating a little bite of this and a little bite of that. Croquetas, pastelitos de carne, empanadas, and papa rellena would be at the top of the list and now I am going to add these Stuffed Plantain Cups to my appetizer menu.
What Is A Plantain Banana?
If you are new to eating plantains then you might be asking, what is a plantain banana? A plantain banana is a cooking banana. It contains more starch than a dessert banana. It is not as sweet as a dessert banana. A plantain banana has a thicker peel and boxier shape. For more detailed information check out What Is A Plantain Banana?
How To Make Stuffed Plantain Cups (Tostones Rellenos)
To make Stuffed Plantain Cups first peel and cut two plantain bananas. Cut the plantains about 2 inches thick. Fry them once whole for about 5 minutes. Next drain them on a wire rack or paper towel. Next using a tostonera smash the plantains into little cups. Fry them again for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Remove the cups from the oil again and drain them on a wire rack or paper towels. Season the plantain cups with kosher salt and they are ready to be filled.
Recipe Notes
Plantain Banana Selection
The plantain banana should be green to yellow but not fully brown. The ones I used were green when I bought them but by the time I used them they were mostly yellow with some green. They were still firm to the touch. If they are too brown and soft they are better suited for maduros.
Do I Have To Use A Tostonera?
No. If you don’t have a tostonera a hand held lemon/lime squeezer can be used to shape the cups as well. You can also use a tortilla press to flatten them and a glass coke bottle to shape them into cups.
What Can I Fill The Plantain Cups With?
You can fill these little cups with almost anything you want. In this recipe we are going to fill them with ropa vieja (shredded beef). They could also be filled with picadillo, or some shredded chicken from making Chicken Fricassee. Shrimp or bacalao (salted cod) could also be used as a filling. If you are vegan or vegetarian these cups could be filled with any meat substitute recipe that you prefer.
Stuffed Plantain Cups (Tostones Rellenos)
Description
These adorable 2 bite appetizers are beautiful little plantain cups filled with ropa vieja and topped with pickled red onion, avocado and cotija cheese.
Stuffed Plantain Cups (Tostones Rellenos)
Pickled Onions
Avocado Topping
Plantain Cups
Instructions
Pickled Onions
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Thinly slice a small red onion.
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In a small bowl add the red wine vinegar, sugar and salt. Whisk together to combine and until dry ingredients are dissolved.
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Pour red wine vinegar over onions. Refrigerate while preparing the Stuffed Plantain Cups.
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Avocado Topping
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Cut avocado into bite sized pieces. Squeeze lemon over avocado to prevent browning and season with salt. Reserve in the refrigerator for later.
Stuffed Plantain Cups (Tostones Rellenos)
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Heat enough oil for frying plantains to 350*.
Peel plantains. Cut plantains into 2 inch sections.
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Fry plantains for 5 minutes. Remove and drain on a rack or paper towels.
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Cover tostonera with plastic wrap on both sides. Smash cooked plantains in tostonera until a cup forms.
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Refry plantain cups for 2-3 minutes until golden brown.
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Remove cups from oil and drain on a rack or paper towels. Season cups with kosher salt.
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Gather the pickled onions and avocado from the refrigerator. Grate 2 tablespoons of cotija cheese and put in a small bowl. Put 1 cup of ropa vieja or other shredded beef you are using as a filling in another bowl.
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Fill each plantain cup.
- Spoon in ropa vieja.
- Top with pickled red onion.
- Top with a few pieces of avocado.
- Sprinkle with cotija cheese.
- Serve!
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