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The Spruce / Nita West
Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
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484 | Calories |
32g | Fat |
40g | Carbs |
14g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 12 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 484 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 32g | 41% |
Saturated Fat 6g | 32% |
Cholesterol 38mg | 13% |
Sodium 669mg | 29% |
Total Carbohydrate 40g | 14% |
Dietary Fiber 3g | 11% |
Total Sugars 17g | |
Protein 14g | |
Vitamin C 21mg | 104% |
Calcium 12mg | 1% |
Iron 1mg | 7% |
Potassium 781mg | 17% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
Originating in Puerto Rico in the 1500s, mofongo is a mixture of mashed green plantains, garlic, peppers, and other ingredients. It was born out of the cross-pollination of culinary practices of enslaved Africans and Indigenous Taino peoples on the island. Mofongo is especially tasty as a turkey stuffing and serves as an excellent alternative to the traditional "bread and meat" dressing. This particular mouthwatering recipe is made from green, unripe plantains, bacon, garlic and ajíces dulces—sweet chile peppers. If you prefer ripe plantains instead, try Cuban fufu as an alternative.
A plantain is a member of the banana family. It's bigger and less sweet than a banana, and it's not particularly appealing in its raw form. Plantains are sometimes called "cooking bananas" because they're at their best when they're cooked. They grow in warm climates and are common in India and the Caribbean.
Ingredients
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6 medium green plantains
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Vegetable oil, for frying
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1 pound cooked bacon, chopped
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6 cloves garlic, chopped
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3 sweet chile peppers, seeded and finely chopped
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1 small onion, finely chopped
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1/3 cup olive oil
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1/3 cup chicken broth
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oil to 375 F.
The Spruce / Nita West -
Peel the green plantains and cut them into 3/4-inch slices while the oil is heating.
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Fry the slices in the hot oil for 3 minutes. They should be a light golden color and semisoft.
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Remove the plantain slices with a slotted spoon and drain them on paper towels.
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When the plantain slices are cool enough to handle, usually about 1 minute, smash them into flat rounds.
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Fry the rounds in the hot oil for an additional 3 minutes. They'll turn crisp and golden brown.
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Remove the slices with a slotted spoon and drain again on paper towels.
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Mash together the plantains, bacon, garlic, peppers, onion, and olive oil in a mortar and pestle. Add each ingredient a little at a time until everything is well incorporated.
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Add the broth. You can add more than 1/3 cup if the stuffing doesn't seem moist enough until you get the consistency that you prefer.
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Serve the stuffing as is, or use it to stuff your turkey.
The Spruce / Nita West
Tips
- Plantains take a long time to ripen, so you can safely buy them in advance of your meal or the holiday. They should still be green when you're ready to make this stuffing, particularly if you store them in the refrigerator.
- The temperature of the oil is important. Use a cooking thermometer to make sure it's at 375 F before you add the plantains. Take care to maintain the oil’s temperature while the plantains are cooking by checking it periodically. Adding any food to heated oil brings its temperature down.
- If you want to serve the stuffing as a side, you can keep it warm in the oven until you're ready to set your holiday table. The onion and oil will prevent it from drying out.
Recipe Variation
- If you're a bacon lover, try sautéing the chopped onion in the bacon grease after you've prepared the bacon rather than adding raw onion to the mixture.