Puerto Rican Yuca Pasteles Recipe

June 08, 2023 Post a Comment

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Puerto Rican Pasteles De Yuca Recipe Boricua recipes, Recipes, Puerto rico food from www.pinterest.com

Description

Puerto Rican yuca pasteles are a traditional dish made during the holiday season. They are similar to tamales and made with a dough made from grated yuca, green bananas, and plantains. The filling is typically made with a mixture of pork, onions, garlic, and peppers. The pasteles are then wrapped in banana leaves and boiled until cooked through. This dish is a labor of love and is often made in large batches to share with family and friends.

Prep Time

Prepping the ingredients for this dish is time-consuming and can take several hours. Plan to spend at least 2-3 hours preparing the dough and filling, plus additional time for wrapping and boiling the pasteles.

Cook Time

The cook time for yuca pasteles varies depending on the size and thickness of the pasteles. Plan to boil the pasteles for at least 1-2 hours, or until they are fully cooked and tender.

Ingredients

4 pounds yuca, peeled and grated
2 green bananas, peeled and grated
2 green plantains, peeled and grated
1/2 cup achiote oil
1/2 cup annatto seeds
2 pounds pork shoulder, diced
1 onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1/4 cup tomato sauce
2 tablespoons oregano
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon salt
2 cups chicken broth
1 package banana leaves

Equipment

Grater
Large mixing bowl
Large pot
Blender
Foil
String

Method

Make the achiote oil by heating annatto seeds and oil in a small pot over low heat until the oil turns orange. Strain the oil and discard the seeds.
In a large pot, cook the pork over medium heat until browned on all sides. Add the onion, garlic, and peppers and cook until the vegetables are softened. Add the tomato sauce, oregano, cumin, and salt and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Add the chicken broth and simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until the pork is tender.
Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, combine the grated yuca, green bananas, and plantains. Add the achiote oil and mix well.
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cut the banana leaves into 12-inch squares and rinse them under cold water. Place them in the oven for 2-3 minutes to soften them.
Take a banana leaf square and place a spoonful of the yuca mixture in the center. Add a spoonful of the pork mixture on top.
Wrap the banana leaf around the filling, folding the sides over and then folding the top and bottom over to enclose the filling. Tie the pasteles with string to hold them closed.
Place the pasteles in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for 1-2 hours, or until the pasteles are fully cooked and tender.
Remove the pasteles from the pot and let them cool for a few minutes before unwrapping them.
Serve warm with your favorite Puerto Rican side dishes.

Notes

This recipe makes about 20-25 pasteles.
Yuca pasteles can be frozen and reheated later. To reheat, simply boil them in water for 10-15 minutes.
If you can't find banana leaves, you can use parchment paper or aluminum foil instead.

Nutrition Info

Serving size: 1 pastel
Calories: 300
Total fat: 12g
Saturated fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 30mg
Sodium: 600mg
Total carbohydrate: 35g
Dietary fiber: 2g
Sugar: 2g
Protein: 12g

Recipe Tips

Make sure to grate the yuca, green bananas, and plantains finely so they cook evenly and the pasteles hold together.
Don't overfill the pasteles or they may burst open while boiling.
If you don't eat pork, you can use chicken or beef instead.
You can add other vegetables to the filling, such as olives or raisins, to add more flavor.

Enjoy this traditional Puerto Rican dish with family and friends during the holiday season!