I don't prepare ceviche often enough. I should. Speedy, healthy, and makes a night in feel like a night out.
And in case you're wondering what the difference is between patacones and tostones, it's pretty much just the name. The word tostones is used more often in Caribbean counties, and patacones more often in South American ones. Although if you press AI for an answer, it might say patacones are cut a tad thicker. Regardless of what you call them, the ingredients and preparation are the same. Green plantains slices are fried — or in this case, air fried — flattened, and then cooked a second time. They can be snacked on with a tad of salt or seasoning of your choice, dipped in salsas or mojos, or used as the perfect vessel to transport this ceviche from dish to mouth.
Fish Ceviche
1 lb fresh white, flakey fish, such as red snapper, sole, cod, or sea bass
½ cup fresh lime juice (approximately 4 limes)
1 jalapeño or habanero pepper
2 stalks celery
½ small Vidalia or sweet onion
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
salt and pepper to taste
Cut the fish into small (~¼ cubed) pieces and place in a medium mixing bowl. Pour lime juice into the same bowl.
Finely chop the onion, pepper, and celery and mix well with fish and lime juice. Add in cilantro and stir to blend.
Cover bowl refrigerate for at least 6-18 hours. The longer it sits, the more the fish will "cook" in the lime's acid and the flavors will meld together. Adjust for seasoning just before serving.
Serve with patacones, crackers, or in a bowl with slices of avocado.
Air Fryer Patacones
2 green plantains
2 tablespoons avocado or olive oil
salt and pepper, to taste
Heat air fryer to 350° F.
Cut the ends of the plantains, then use the tip of a sharp knife to cut through the peel down the length of the plantain. Use your hands to peel back and remove the peel.
Place the oil in a shallow bowl. Cut the plantains in ½-inch rounds, add them to the bowl with the oil, and toss to coat. Remove them from the oil, saving the oil in the bowl to brush the slices after they are done with their first fry.
Add plantain slices to the air fryer and cook for 5-7 minutes, until tender.
Remove patacones from the fryer. Place them on a sheet of parchment paper and gently hit them with the flat end of a meat tenderizer or bottom of a small saucepan.
Using a pastry brush or paper towel, gently brush them again with the oil left in the bowl. Return to fryer until golden and crunchy on the outside, 5-7 minutes.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper, or seasoning of your choice. Serve with ceviche, salsa, or mojo.
FUN FACTS:
Panama was the first country outside of the United States in which Coca Cola was sold, in 1906.
Former U.S. Senator John McCain was born in Panama, which was considered a U.S. territory at the time.
Panama hats originated in Ecuador, not Panama. They gained popularity among Americans traveling through the Panama Canal area, thus the misnomer.
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