Puerto Rican Plantain Delight

Ingredients

• 4 green plantains 4 green plantains
• 4 cloves of garlic 4 cloves of garlic
• 1 cup (240ml) olive oil 1 cup (240ml) olive oil
• 1 cup (150g) pork cracklings (chicharrones) 1 cup (150g) pork cracklings (chicharrones)
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste
• Meat of choice (chicken, beef, or seafood) Meat of choice (chicken, beef, or seafood)
• Broth or sauce for serving Broth or sauce for serving

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 30g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 40g, 10g
• Protein: 8g
• Fiber: 5g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Peel the green plantains and cut them into thick slices.
2. 2.
   Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat.
3. 3.
   Fry the plantain slices until golden and crispy, about 5 minutes per side.
4. 4.
   Remove the fried plantains from the pan and drain them on a paper towel.
5. 5.
   In a mortar and pestle or a large bowl, mash the garlic cloves with a pinch of salt until a paste forms.
6. 6.
   Add the pork cracklings to the mortar or bowl and continue mashing until well combined.
7. 7.
   Add the fried plantains to the mortar or bowl and mash them together with the garlic and pork cracklings until a smooth mixture forms.
8. 8.
   Shape the mixture into balls or patties.
9. 9.
   In a separate pan, cook the meat of your choice according to your preferred method.
10. 10.
    Serve the Puerto Rican Plantain Delight alongside the cooked meat and a side of broth or sauce.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Plantains — Make sure to use green plantains for this recipe as they provide the desired texture and flavor. Ripe plantains will not yield the same results.
• Pork cracklings — If you cannot find pork cracklings, you can substitute them with bacon bits or omit them for a vegetarian version.

Tips & Tricks

• To enhance the flavor, you can add a splash of lime juice to the mashed plantain mixture.
• For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a finely chopped chili pepper to the garlic and pork crackling mixture.
• Experiment with different meats and sauces to find your favorite combination.

Serving advice

Serve the Puerto Rican Plantain Delight as a main course, placing the meat on a plate alongside the plantain balls or patties. Pour the broth or sauce over the meat and garnish with fresh herbs for an extra touch of freshness.

Presentation advice

Arrange the plantain balls or patties on a serving platter, placing the cooked meat in the center. Drizzle the broth or sauce over the meat and garnish with a sprig of cilantro or parsley. Serve with a side of rice and beans for a complete Puerto Rican meal.