Mofongo
Mofongo is prepared for gatherings, special occasions, holidays, and quite frankly for any day of the week. Traditionally, mofongo is made with pork rind, but here we will have created a plant based version, without the pork rind. Another way it is typically made, is with shrimp. Other islands like Cuba, and Dominican Republic have recreated the dish. Dominican Republic, make a boiled version of mofongo, which is called mangu.
What is mofongo?
Mofongo is a Puerto Rican dish, which is made from fried plantains. Mashed in a wooden pilon, with garlic, broth, and olive oil. The dish originate from a Angola, African technique of mashing starchy foods with liquids and fats to soften the texture or the mixture. Little Puerto Rico Fact: Africans were brought to the Island in the 1500’s and along with them came a lot of the awesome, African influence that we have in the Puerto Rican culture now.
What exactly are plantains?
Plantains are often confused with green bananas. Although cooking green bananas look very similar to plantains but have two big differences. Green bananas are typically shorter and have more rounded ends. Whereas, plantains are elongated and have pointier ends. Plantains are also, more starchy and less sweet than bananas.
How do you make mofongo?
Step 1: Cut peeled plantains into 1/2 pieces. Fry plantains in enough oil to cover, on medium high heat for 15 minutes or until golden but NOT brown or hard. Remove from oil and place onto paper towel lined plate.
Step 2: Mash all the fried or boiled plantains along with the mashed garlic, add in crumbled bacon and seasonings. Leave chunks of plantain for texture. Mix in butter, if adding butter.
Serve: To serve in the traditional way, press into greased small bowl or ramekin, flip onto a plate and ENJOY!
How to make it healthier?
Boiled option, more healthy but not authentic: boil plantains in lightly salted water until fork tender.
Mofongo
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 4 green plantains peeled
- 6 slices vegan bacon crumbled
- 3 garlic cloves mashed
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- Vegetable oil for frying if not boiling
- 1 tbsp vegan butter optional
Instructions
Instructions
- Cut peeled plantains into 1/2 pieces, soak them in salty water for 15 minutes. Drain them and dry them before putting them on the hot skillet with oil.
- Fry plantains in enough oil to cover, on medium high heat for 12 minutes or until golden but NOT brown or hard.
- Boiled option, more healthy but not authentic: boil plantains in lightly salted water until fork tender.
- Remove from oil and place onto paper towel lined plate.
- Mash all the fried or boiled plantains along with the mashed garlic, add in crumbled bacon and seasonings. Leave chunks of plantain for texture. Mix in butter, if adding butter.
- To serve in the traditional way, press into greased small bowl or ramekin, flip onto a plate and ENJOY!