"Tostones" (also known as "banann peze" in Haiti, "tachinos" or "chatinos" in Cuba, "platanos verdes fritos" or "fritos verdes" in the Dominican Republic and "patacones" in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Panama, Peru and Venezuela) are twice-fried plantain patties, often served as a side dish, appetizer, or snack. Plantains are sliced in pieces and fried in oil. The segments are then removed and individually smashed down either with the bottom of a bottle or with a "tostonera", to about half their original height. Finally, the pieces are fried again and then seasoned, often with salt. In some countries, such as Haiti, Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, the "tostones" are dipped in creole sauce from chicken, pork, beef, or shrimp before eating. In Nicaragua, tostones are typically served with fried cheese (Tostones con queso) and sometimes with refried beans. In some South American countries, the name "tostones" is used to describe this food when prepared at home and also plantain chips (mentioned above), which are typically purchased from a store.