The young Cuban Henry S Robert (@itss_henryyy_) shared with his followers on Instagram the experience he had making a classic Cuban dish: Stuffed Tostones.
"In this video, I'm going to show you how not to make stuffed tostones" said Henry. However, his followers couldn't help but laugh and watch the mise en place process of the recipe, which began with going into the woods with a machete to find a bunch of burro bananas.
Henry peeled, cut, and washed the bananas, which were quite small. He then poured the equivalent of 600 pesos worth of sunflower oil into a pan and gave his future tostones their first frying, making sure not to let them brown too much.
She used a masher that her grandmother had when she was 15 years old to crush each piece of fried plantain, shaping them into concave forms using a coffee cup. Then she placed the little baskets in oil to fry them until they were nice and crispy.
Finally, the most complicated step for the Cuban arrived: What filling to put in the tostón? He opened a canned good and there recounted a story that sparked laughter from the fans: "This little can of tuna is what I had left from the CIA funding."
Amid laughter, the young man highlighted the Cuban government's tendency to always accuse content creators of being funded by the CIA from the United States.
Henry had to ensure that his recipe was safe for human consumption, so he took the least appealing stuffed toston and kindly gave it to his cousin. The young man ate it and came out unscathed.
You already know how to make stuffed tostones in Cuba, but you'll need to find out where to secure funding because it's clear that with the Cuban salary, it won't be enough.
Frequently Asked Questions about Stuffed Tostones and the Economic Reality in Cuba
What ingredients are used to prepare stuffed tostones in Cuba?
Stuffed tostones are primarily made with green plantains, which are fried twice to achieve a crispy texture. They can be filled with various ingredients, such as canned tuna, due to the difficulty of finding other products in the Cuban market. Creativity is key to adapting to the scarcity of resources on the island.
Why did Henry's video about stuffed tostones go viral?
Henry's video went viral because he uses humor to address the economic difficulties in Cuba, highlighting the high cost of preparing even a simple dish like stuffed tostones. His ironic mention of "CIA financing" resonated with viewers as a critique of the Cuban government and the unfounded accusations against content creators.
How much does it cost to prepare stuffed tostones in Cuba?
The cost of preparing stuffed tostones in Cuba can be high compared to the minimum wage, due to the high price of oil and other basic ingredients. Henry mentions that he spent the equivalent of 600 pesos just on oil, which illustrates the disparity between incomes and the cost of living on the island.
How do homemade stuffed tostones compare to those from commercial brands?
While homemade stuffed tostones require more time and resources, some people abroad, like Yani on TikTok, choose to use store-bought tostones from brands like Goya to save time and effort. These pre-fried products provide a quick and convenient alternative, although they may not have the same homemade flavor.
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