Hey y’all! Here we come with another hit for your holiday dishes. This dish right here, you have to make at least once because it is that delicious.
Pastelon is a traditional dish from the Caribbean. Depending on what part of the Caribbean you are from, the way pastelon is prepared varies. Some people use other types of meats and or veggies. Other mash the sweet plantains, while others simply slice them. This dish is mostly prepared during the holidays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, you name it. And in my culture pastelon is a dish that consists of sweet mashed plantains, ground beef seasoned to taste and cheese. It is easy and affordable to make and very filling, and on top of that it is also delicious. I know, hard to believe, right!? But I assure you, it’s definitely all that and a little more.
It’s a delicacy of flavor in each layer, similar to a lasagna (or casserole) but the pasta is replaced with sweet plantain. This dish is an all-time favorite of mine, every time I go to family gatherings and I see a pastelon at the table, my heart gets so warm and happy.
For these upcoming holidays I recommend you to try this dish, it will be a hit at the family gatherings. Your loved ones will be asking for it every time you guys have any festive gatherings. We will provide an easy pastelon recipe that you won’t stop making and will most likely make it part of your family dish tradition as well. This dish can be done more or less under an hour, and it is perfect for any occasion, but it will taste even better if shared with others. Don’t just share the dish but also make sure to share the recipe with friends and family. Enjoy and have fun preparing this delicious delicacy!
Serving Size: 6
Ingredients:
- Olive Oil
- Red Onion
- Garlic
- Green Bell Pepper
- Fresh Cilantro
- Tomato sauce
- Ground Beef
- Salt
- Ground Black Pepper
- Ripe Sweet Plantains
- Salted butter
For the filling:
- 2 tablespoon olive oil (or vegetable oil)
- 1 red onion, [65g], minced
- 1 tablespoon of mashed garlic, (3 large garlic cloves)
- 1 pound ground beef, [454g]
- 1 cup tomato sauce, [115g]
- 1 green bell peppers or red, seeded and minced
- 1 ½ teaspoons of salt (or more, to taste)
- ½ teaspoons ground black pepper (or more, to taste)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro, (or parsley)
For some non-traditional fillings (including vegetarian ones), check out this pastelones fillings. You can also use ground turkey, pork, or chicken for a non-traditional filling.
Preparation:
- In a ceramic pan, heat oil over medium-low heat. Stir in onion and cook and stir until it turns translucent.
- Add garlic and cook and stir for a minute.
- Add minced meat and cook and stir, breaking it into small clumps until it browns.
- Pour in tomato sauce. Add bell pepper, salt, and pepper. Stir and cover. Simmer for 3 minutes.
- Uncover and mix in the optional ingredient of your choice, or none at all if you so prefer.
- Taste and season with salt and pepper to taste if needed. Remove from the heat and put it to the side until needed.
To assemble:
- 6 ripe/yellow sweet plantains
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup salted butter plus extra to grease pan
- 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Preparation:
- Peel the plantains and boil adding 1 teaspoon of salt to the water.
- Once the plantains are fork tender (15 – 20 mins), remove them from the heat.
- Drain the water right away, and mash them with a fork.
- Add the butter and keep mashing until it is very smooth with no lumps.
- Grease a 1-inch tall baking pan.
- Put half of the plantain mixture in the baking pan.
- Cover with half of the cheese. Cover the cheese with the meat. Keep layering until the mixture is finished. Cover with the rest of the cheese.
- Cook in preheated oven to 350 °F [175 °C] until the top is golden brown.
Now, you are all done. Let the pastelon cool down for at least five minutes after removing it from the oven, so it’s easier to serve. Enjoy!