Bollo de Carne
A savory steamed parcel made from mashed green plantains, filled with seasoned ground beef and vegetables, and wrapped in a banana leaf. It's a popular coastal delicacy.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 kg Green plantains(peeled)
- 500 g Ground beef
- 1 medium Red onion(finely chopped)
- 0.5 medium Bell pepper(finely chopped)
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 0.25 cup Cilantro(chopped)
- 3 tbsp Achiote oil
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(or to taste)
- 8 large Banana leaves(wilted)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Boil the peeled green plantains in salted water until very tender, about 20-30 minutes. Drain well.
- 2
While plantains are boiling, prepare the filling. Heat achiote oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped red onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic, sautéing until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- 3
Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned. Stir in cumin, salt, pepper, and chopped cilantro. Cook for another 2 minutes.
- 4
Mash the boiled plantains in a large bowl until smooth. You may need to add a tablespoon or two of the plantain cooking water or a little extra achiote oil to achieve a pliable dough consistency.
- 5
To assemble, lay a wilted banana leaf flat. Place a portion of the mashed plantain dough in the center and flatten it into a circle. Spoon a generous amount of the beef filling onto the plantain circle.
- 6
Fold the banana leaf to enclose the filling, creating a neat parcel. Secure with kitchen twine if necessary.
- 7
Steam the bollos in a steamer basket over boiling water for 30-40 minutes, or until the plantain dough is cooked through and firm.
- 8
Serve hot, unwrapped from the banana leaf.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Wilt the banana leaves by passing them briefly over an open flame or dipping them in hot water to make them pliable and prevent tearing.
- ✓Ensure the plantains are very tender before mashing for a smooth dough.
- ✓Adjust the amount of achiote oil to achieve your desired color and flavor.
🔄 Variations
- The filling can be varied to include other meats like pork or chicken, or even seafood.
- Some recipes add a tablespoon of tomato paste to the beef filling for added richness.
- A spicy version can be made by adding finely chopped chili peppers to the filling.