IMUSA Bamboo Tostonera & Plantain Press, Large
A wooden press for flattening plantains into patacones.
View on AmazonBananas shaped Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, its railways and its economy, and they are still one of its biggest exports. At home, green plantains become crisp patacones and ripe ones turn sweet in the pan. Here is the story, the cooking, and a short list of products.


From railway to republic of bananas.

Patacones, maduros and more.

Snacks, flour and tools.

How to tell them apart.
A wooden press for flattening plantains into patacones.
View on AmazonGreen banana flour for gluten-free baking.
View on AmazonSweetened organic banana chips.
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The banana “tree” is actually the world’s largest herb.

Twice-fried, crunchy and great with black bean dip.

Why the bunch goes brown overnight, and what helps.