Savoring Puerto Rican Pasteles: 7 Delightful Recipes
Puerto Rican Pasteles are a holiday dish made of grated plantains and root vegetables filled with savory meats, wrapped in banana leaves, and cooked until tender.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: Serves 6
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Boiling or Steaming
- Cuisine: Puerto Rican
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 green plantains, peeled
- 2 yautia or malanga, peeled
- Optional: 1/2 cup green banana or kabocha pumpkin for balance
- 1/4 cup achiote oil or annatto-colored oil
- 1/2 cup sofrito
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Banana leaves, cleaned and cut into squares
- Kitchen twine and parchment strips or foil for wrapping
- Filling of your choice (pork, chicken, or veggie)
Instructions
- Prep the banana leaves by passing them briefly over a low flame or hot dry skillet until glossy and flexible. Set aside.
- Grate the plantains and yautia, adding a splash of achiote oil to prevent oxidation.
- Season the dough mixture with sofrito, salt, and pepper, adjusting consistency with broth if necessary. Chill if too loose.
- Spread a portion of masa onto the center of a banana leaf, add filling, and fold the leaf tightly.
- Tie the wrapped pasteles with kitchen twine, ensuring they’re secure.
- Bundle two pasteles together for freezing and label before storing.
- Cook frozen pasteles by boiling in salted water for 45-60 minutes or steaming for 60-75 minutes. Let rest briefly before unwrapping.
Notes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pastel
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 67g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Find it online: https://bakerslider.com/savoring-puerto-rican-pasteles/