Recipe: Baked Turmeric Tostones
Baked Turmeric Tostones make an awesomely healthy snack to nibble on for your in between meals hunger pangs. Or serve it as finger food for parties. Whenever I get some green plantains, I like to make baked tostones as opposed to the deep fried ones. Well, fried ones do taste really good but cannot indulge in them often. Enjoy these baked salty and savoury bites any time of the day. The baked ones tasted delicious but I would advise that you have them as soon as they are ready. A few were left and they lost their crunchiness.
What Are Tostones?
Tostones (pronounced as tos-toe-nays) are a popular snack dish in many Caribbean and Latin American parts of the world. Also known as Patacones, the ones sold as street food are fried. Chunks of plantains are fried till just cooked. Then they are smashed and fried again.Prepared in the same manner as the famous Sindhi Aloo Tuk. Tostones are usually served with a garlic sauce called Mojo (pronounced as Mo-ho). You can also serve them with Aji Verde, Mojo Verde, mayo with chipotle, flavoured sour cream, etc.
These days Instagram is flooded with posts by some influencers and chefs claiming that they have innovated kele tuks! Please people! Tostones have existed for eons so give credit where due!
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FoodieMonday/ Bloghop
The 89th theme way back on 24/04/2017 was Raw Banana, suggested by Kriti who blogs at Krispy Kadhai. I’m not new to raw bananas, plantains or matoke as its called in East Africa. Matoke is a part of the staple diet for many Ugandans. They add it to stew, mash it, fry it, grill it in charcoal fire or boil it. I decided to make tostones as I had that recipe jotted done for a while. At first I made the fried ones but didn’t manage to take photos. Second time round decided to make them healthier by baking them.
Shhh Secretly Cooking
March 2025 theme is Popular Dishes Around The World suggested by Kalyani Sri who blogs at Sizzling Tastebuds. Priya Srinivasan my partner gave me turmeric and garlic as my secret ingredients. These two worked perfectly well for me to redo the old post on Tostones. In return I gave her tofu and oat milk. With those ingredients included in her dish she prepared a Vegan Danish Dream Cake. Traditionally this Danish sponge cake is made using eggs.
Republishing an old post on 28/03/2025.
What Are Plantains?
Let us not confuse the normal sweet banana with the raw banana or plantain. Plantain is the cousin of the sweet banana. It has many nutritional values just like the sweet banana. However, you cannot consume plantains in the raw form. Many diet plans replace plantains to make tortillas, cakes, cookies, mash, pizza base etc.The charming thing about plantains is that they are available throughout the year.The reason plantains are a part of the staple diet for many African countries is because it is high in carbohydrates, therefore provides the much needed energy, keeps on fuller for longer periods of time. Plantains are rich in potassium and fiber,rich in Vitamin C. There are 3 type of raw bananas, plantains or matoke.
- The pulp of the green ones is fairly hard and are starchy and not sweet. Usually one needs to peel them using a knife. The green ones are best for making plantain chips.
- The yellow plantains are slightly sweet and mature.These plantains are usually fried,boiled, grilled and used in stews or to prepare mash.
- Black plantains in spite of the colour are still good to eat. At this stage they are the sweetest and softest.These are usually used for baking and desserts.
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Ingredients Required For Baked Turmeric Tostones & Mojo Sauce
For Tostones
Plantains
Use plantains that are green and raw. Don’t use if they begin to turn slightly yellow. I used about 500g of plantains.
Oil
I have used normal cooking oil, sunflowet oil. We need aome to brush and coat the plantain slices. Use any oil of your choice.
Turmeric Powder
Generally, tostones don’t have turmeric. I like to add a bit for the flavour and natural colour.
Salt
Any salt of your choice. I have used Himalayan Pink Salt.
For Mojo Sauce
Oil
I prefer to use olive oil or sunflower oil. Use any oil of your choice.
Garlic
The main flavour for this sauce is garlic. Need about 3-4 cloves of garlic, peeled and finely chopped.
Oregano
Dried oregano. Mojo Sauce varies from region to region. Some use fresh cilantro while others add parsley. Feel free to add what you like.
Orange Juice
Generally the juice of the local sour oranges is used. However, if you don’t have any sour orange juice then use a combination of orange and lemon juices.
Lemon Juice
Need to add some as the orange juice I used was not sour at all.
Pepper
Some Mojo Sauces call for paprika, while others use red pepper. I have used black pepper powder as that is what I have.
Salt
Add according to your taste. Remember, the bakes tostones are slightly salty.
Cumin Powder
Can use cumin or coriander powder. The choice is yours.
Watch How To Make Baked Turmeric Tostones And Mojo Sauce
BAKED TURMERIC TOSTONES AND MOJO SAUCE
Ingredients
FOR BAKED TURMERIC TOSTONES
- 500 g green plantains 2-3 pieces depending on the size
- 2 tbsp oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tbsp oil for brushing
FOR MOJO SAUCE
- 3-4 cloves garlic peeled and minced
- ½ tsp oregano dried
- ½ tsp cumin powder
- ¼ cup orange juice sour
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp coarse pepper powder
- ¼ tsp salt
Instructions
HOW TO PREPARE BAKED TURMERIC TOSTONE
- Preheat the oven to 180°C.
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Mix 2 tbsp oil, salt and turmeric powder in a big bowl.
- First you need to peel the plantains. Trim the ends first.
- Cut a slit through the skin lengthwise. Using your fingers, peel away the skin.
- If it is difficult to peel then use a knife to remove the peel.
- Cut the plantains into ½ " chunks and put it in the bowl with the oil mixture.
- Mix well till all the pieces are coated with oil.
- Arrange the plantain pieces in the tray with the cut side facing up.
- Bake for 15 minutes till they are slightly golden brown. Don't overcook them.
- Remove the tray from the oven.
- If you don't have a tostonera (a press) then you can use a glass or a small bowl to press the slices gently.
- Press each piece down till the plantain pieces become a bit flat.
- Brush them lightly with some oil.
- Bake again for 20 minutes till they are light golden brown. Make sure half way you flip the tostones.
- Remove the baked tostones from the oven. Allow them to cool for 2-3 minutes on a wire rack.
- Serve immediately with mojo sauce or any sauce of your choice.
PREPARATION OF MOJO SAUCE
- Add all the ingredients in a bowl or jar. Mix well.
Notes
- Can make this during the fasting or Ekadashi time, but don't serve it with the garlic sauce and omit turmeric powder. A yogurt dip would go well with it.
To get a nice smashed piece make sure you don't slice the bananas too thin or too thick. - Can deep fry the tostones. To do so fry the banana pieces till almost cooked. Smash each piece while still warm. Deep fry them again till crispy.
- Use raw plantain and not the ones that begin to ripen.
- If you get sour oranges, then no need to add lemon juice. Use ½ cup.
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