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Season 12 - Lunch / S12L15

Tostones with Pulled Pork and Avocado Salsa

Prep: 20 minCook: 25 minTotal: 45 min

Story

It was a warm Saturday afternoon when Don Luis heard the distant sound of music from the neighborhood park—kids laughing, families grilling, and that sweet sizzle of good food in the air. With a smile under his gray mustache and his signature jean and leather apron on, he opened the fridge and spotted three perfect green plantains, a small tub of leftover pernil, and two avocados ripe for action. Let’s bring the block party to our kitchen,” he said, chuckling as he dropped the plantains into hot oil. With Luna the whippet curled at his feet and the salsa beat humming in the background, he got to work. The result? A crispy, savory bite with tender pork and bright avocado salsa—a one-bite fiesta that made the whole house dance 💃🕺 Time & Nutrition

Ingredients

  • For the Tostones 🍌
  • 3 green plantains
  • 1½ cups vegetable oil (for frying)
  • Sea salt 🧂 (to taste)
  • For the Pulled Pork 🍖
  • 2 cups cooked shredded pork (pernil or slow-cooked pork)
  • 0.5 tsp cumin
  • 0.5 tsp garlic powder
  • 0.25 tsp smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • For the Avocado Salsa 🥑
  • 2 ripe avocados 🥑
  • 1 Roma tomato, diced 🍅
  • 0.25 red onion, finely chopped 🧅
  • Juice of 1 lime 🍋
  • 1 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped 🌿
  • Salt to taste 🧂

Instructions

  1. 1Make the Tostones
  2. 2Peel plantains and slice into 1-inch chunks.
  3. 3Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry plantains until golden (about 3–4 minutes per side).
  4. 4Remove and flatten with a tostonera or bottom of a glass.
  5. 5Return flattened plantains to oil and fry again until crispy and golden. Season with salt.
  6. 6Heat the Pulled Pork
  7. 7In a skillet, add olive oil and warm the pork over medium heat.
  8. 8Season with cumin, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir and cook until edges are crispy.
  9. 9Prepare Avocado Salsa
  10. 10In a bowl, mash avocados lightly. Add diced tomato, red onion, lime juice, and chopped cilantro.
  11. 11Mix gently and season with salt.
  12. 12Assemble
  13. 13Top each tostone with a spoonful of pulled pork and a dollop of avocado salsa.
  14. 14Optional: drizzle with extra lime juice or hot sauce for kick! 🌶️
Don Luis

About the narrator

Don Luis · A character for three generations

Don Luis is the brand character and narrator for this catalog: a warm voice for Puerto Rican family recipes tested by the real creator behind the brand. The project carries three generations of flavor and writes each recipe step by step so any kid can follow it.

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