Cuisine : Mofongo - How to make this Puerto Rican dish

 

Mofongo is a popular Puerto Rican dish made from fried green plantains (or sometimes yams or cassava) mashed with garlic, olive oil, and pork cracklings (chicharrón). Here's how it's prepared:

Ingredients:

1. Green plantains (usually 2-4, depending on the serving size)

2. Garlic cloves (2-4, to taste)

3. Olive oil (2-4 tablespoons)

4. Pork cracklings (chicharrón) or bacon bits (optional)

5. Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Peel and cut the green plantains into 1-inch slices.

2. Heat a generous amount of oil in a deep frying pan over medium-high heat.

3. Fry the plantain slices until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside, which typically takes about 3-5 minutes per side.

4. Remove the fried plantains from the oil and place them on paper towels to drain excess oil.

5. In a mortar and pestle or a wooden pilón (traditional mofongo mashing tool), add the garlic cloves and a pinch of salt. Crush the garlic into a paste.

6. Gradually add the fried plantains to the garlic paste, mashing and mixing them together as you go.

7. Drizzle in olive oil as you continue to mash and mix until you achieve your desired texture. Some people prefer it chunky, while others like it smoother.

8. If desired, you can incorporate pork cracklings or bacon bits into the mixture for added flavor and crunch.

9. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

10. Mold the mashed plantain mixture into a round or oval shape using a mofongo mold or your hands.

11. Serve hot, typically as a side dish with a savory sauce or stew, such as seafood, chicken, or beef.

Mofongo is a delicious and hearty dish enjoyed in Puerto Rico and other Caribbean regions, and it can be customized to suit your taste preferences.