Bollo de Pescado Manabita
A traditional dish from the Manabí province, this bollo is a savory steamed parcel made from green plantain dough, filled with seasoned fish (often tuna or corvina) and a rich peanut sauce.
🧂 Ingredients
- 8 medium Green plantains
- 1/2 cup Peanut butter (unsweetened)
- 3 tbsp Achiote oil (annatto oil)
- 1 medium White onion(finely chopped)
- 1/2 medium Bell pepper (red)(finely chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1/4 cup Cilantro(chopped)
- 1 tsp Cumin
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 300 g Fish (corvina, tuna, or similar firm white fish)(cut into chunks)
- 5-6 large Banana leaves(wilted)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Peel and boil the green plantains until very tender. Drain and mash them thoroughly to form a dough. Mix in the peanut butter, achiote oil, salt, and pepper until well combined and a smooth dough is formed.
- 2
In a separate pan, heat 1 tbsp of achiote oil. Sauté the chopped onion and bell pepper until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Stir in the chopped cilantro, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- 3
Add the fish chunks to the vegetable mixture. Cook gently for about 5 minutes, just until the fish starts to flake. Do not overcook.
- 4
Prepare the banana leaves by wilting them over an open flame or in hot water to make them pliable. Cut them into large rectangular pieces.
- 5
Place a portion of the plantain-peanut dough onto a piece of banana leaf. Flatten it to create a base. Place a generous amount of the fish filling in the center. Cover the filling with more plantain dough, shaping it into a parcel.
- 6
Wrap the parcel tightly with the banana leaf, securing it like a tamale. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
- 7
Steam the bollos in a large pot or steamer for about 45 minutes, or until the plantain dough is cooked through and firm.
💡 Tip: Ensure there is enough water in the steamer and it doesn't boil dry. - 8
Carefully unwrap the bollos and serve hot.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The plantain dough should be smooth and easy to handle. If it's too dry, add a little more achiote oil or water.
- ✓Wilt the banana leaves properly to prevent them from tearing.
- ✓Ensure the fish is cooked gently to maintain its texture.
🔄 Variations
- Some recipes use a mix of plantains and yuca for the dough.
- Shrimp or other seafood can be used instead of fish.