Pastel de Chiverre Salado
A savory pie made with 'chiverre' (a type of squash), typically filled with seasoned ground meat and vegetables, encased in a cornmeal crust.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1 kg Chiverre(peeled, seeded, and grated (or substitute with butternut squash))
- 400 g Ground beef
- 1 medium Onion(chopped)
- 3 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 1 medium Red bell pepper(chopped)
- 200 ml Tomato sauce
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Cumin
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 200 g Cornmeal (masa harina)
- 50 g Butter(melted)
- 150 ml Milk(approx.)
- 1 large Egg(beaten, for egg wash)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F). Grease a baking dish.
💡 Tip: A 9x13 inch baking dish is suitable. - 2
In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess fat.
⏱️ 8-10 minutes - 3
Add chopped onion, minced garlic, and chopped bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 minutes - 4
Stir in the grated chiverre, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chiverre has softened and the flavors have melded.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 5
In a separate bowl, combine the cornmeal, melted butter, and milk. Mix until a thick batter forms. Adjust milk if needed for consistency.
💡 Tip: The batter should be spreadable but not too runny. - 6
Spread half of the cornmeal batter evenly over the bottom of the greased baking dish.
💡 Tip: Use a spatula to spread it smoothly. - 7
Pour the chiverre and meat filling over the cornmeal base and spread evenly.
💡 Tip: Ensure the filling is level. - 8
Spread the remaining cornmeal batter over the filling, creating the top crust. Brush with the beaten egg for an egg wash.
💡 Tip: The egg wash will give the crust a golden sheen. - 9
Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and firm, and the filling is bubbly.
⏱️ 40 minutes - 10
Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓If chiverre is unavailable, butternut squash or pumpkin can be used as a substitute, though the flavor will be slightly different.
- ✓Ensure the chiverre is well-drained if it releases a lot of liquid.
- ✓For a spicier filling, add a pinch of chili flakes.
🔄 Variations
- Use shredded chicken or pork instead of ground beef.
- Add chopped olives or raisins to the filling for extra flavor.
- Incorporate a layer of sliced hard-boiled eggs within the filling.