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pasteles recipe.

 


Pasteles Recipe (Puerto Rican Christmas Pasteles)

A traditional Puerto Rican holiday dish, Pasteles are savory parcels made from a green banana masa filled with seasoned pork, olives, capers, and spices—wrapped in banana leaves and boiled to perfection.

⭐ Why You Will Love This Pasteles Recipe

  • Authentic Puerto Rican flavor.
  • A festive dish perfect for Christmas and family gatherings.
  • Freezer-friendly and great for meal prep.
  • Deliciously soft, savory, and aromatic from banana leaves.
  • A cultural classic your readers will love.

🥘 Ingredients

For the Masa

  • 6 green bananas
  • 1 green plantain
  • 1 lb yautía (taro root)
  • ½ cup annatto oil (achiote oil)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • ½ cup chicken broth (optional, for softer masa)

For the Pork Filling

  • 1 ½ lbs pork shoulder (cut into small pieces)
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 bell pepper, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, crushed
  • ¼ cup cilantro, chopped
  • 2 tbsp tomato sauce
  • 2 tbsp sofrito
  • 1 tbsp capers
  • 10–12 Spanish olives, chopped
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For Assembling

  • Banana leaves (cleaned and softened)
  • Kitchen twine
  • Achiote oil for brushing

👩‍🍳 How to Make Pasteles

Step 1: Prepare the Pork Filling

  1. Heat oil in a pot.
  2. Add pork and brown well.
  3. Add onions, garlic, bell pepper, and cilantro.
  4. Stir in tomato sauce, sofrito, olives, capers, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper.
  5. Cover and cook 35–45 minutes until tender and saucy.

Step 2: Make the Masa

  1. Peel green bananas, plantain, and yautía.
  2. Grate them finely using a food processor or hand grater.
  3. Add annatto oil, salt, oregano, pepper, and a little broth.
  4. Mix until smooth and thick but spreadable.

Step 3: Prepare Banana Leaves

  1. Cut into square pieces.
  2. Soften over an open flame or briefly steam them.
  3. Brush each piece with annatto oil.

Step 4: Assemble the Pasteles

  1. Spread 2–3 tbsp masa on the center of each banana leaf.
  2. Add 1 tbsp pork filling.
  3. Fold the leaf into a tight rectangular bundle.
  4. Wrap again in parchment if needed and tie with kitchen twine.

Step 5: Cook the Pasteles

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. Add Pasteles and boil for 1 hour.
  3. Let rest for 5 minutes before unwrapping and serving.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions for Pasteles

  • White rice or arroz con gandules
  • Puerto Rican pernil (roast pork)
  • Simple green salad
  • Sweet fried plantains (maduros)
  • Pickled onions or escabeche

❄️ Storage & Freezing Tips

  • Refrigerate: Up to 4 days.
  • Freeze: Up to 3 months (store uncooked or cooked).
  • Reheat: Boil 10–15 minutes from frozen.

❓ FAQs

1. What are Pasteles made of?

A masa of green bananas, plantains, and root vegetables filled with seasoned pork.

2. Can I use chicken instead of pork?

Yes—chicken thighs work perfectly.

3. Can I make Pasteles without banana leaves?

You can use parchment paper, but banana leaves give the best flavor.

4. Can I prepare the masa ahead of time?

Yes, store it in the fridge for 24–48 hours.

5. Are Pasteles gluten-free?

Yes, they naturally contain no wheat.

🔗 Similar Recipes :

  • Arroz con Gandules Recipe
  • Mofongo Recipe
  • Pollo Guisado Recipe
  • Sancocho Recipe
  • Cuban Mojo Chicken

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