Essential Tools

I grew up on the US mainland at a time when it was difficult to find tools from my homeland. We would eventually buy a pilón (wooden mortar and pestle) and a tostonera (a press used for smashing fried green plantains) when we visited family in Puerto Rico, but before that we had to improvise. For example, when making Tostones, you can use a small plate and the bottom of a large coffee cup for similar results. Over the course of my research and cooking, I identified a handful of tools that are now essential to my kitchen and will make cooking island dishes a breeze.