Cut off the ends of the plantain and peel it by making a slit down a corner of the plantain and lifting the peel. Slice off any skin that's left over after peeling.

Slice the plantains into half-inch thick circles.

Heat 4 tablespoons of oil in a small frying pan on medium-high temperature.

Place a batch of 5 or 6 plantain slices in the hot oil and fry while flipping occasionally until golden on both sides or for about 1 to 2 minutes. Repeat this step with the remaining slices.

Once all of the plantain slices have been fried, put them on a clean, flat surface (such as a cutting board) and smash the slices with a clean object that has a flat bottom (like a cup or a small plate.) If the plantain slices stick to the bottom of the object used to smash it, just use a knife to remove it. Be careful when smashing the plantain slices, you don't want them so flat that you're not able to pick them up without breaking.

Put the flattened plantains back into to the hot oil in batches of 4 to 5 pieces and fry until golden brown. Remove the slices from the oil and put them onto a plate lined with a couple of paper towels or on a wire rack and season with your desired amount of salt and pepper immediately.

These are best when eaten right away. Enjoy!