World Stroll
Ecuadorean recipe

How to make Bolón de verde

The coast

Commons: Bolón de verde
Photo: Alfvel, CC BY-SA 4.0

A ball about the size of a fist, made of green plantain that is cooked, mashed and kneaded with cheese or crispy pork, then fried until golden. On the coast it is a very common breakfast, served with black coffee.

Serves 4 45 min

Ingredients

  • 3 large green (unripe) plantains
  • 150 g crumbly white cheese, such as feta or queso fresco, crumbled
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • Salt
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • Fried eggs and coffee, to serve (optional)

Method

  1. Peel the plantains: cut off both ends, slit the skin along its length and pull it away. Cut each plantain into 4 pieces.
  2. Boil the pieces in salted water for 20 to 25 minutes, until soft. Drain.
  3. While they are still hot, mash them well with the butter and a pinch of salt. Take care, as the plantain is very hot.
  4. Mix in the cheese, then shape the mixture with your hands into 4 firm balls.
  5. Heat 2 cm of oil in a frying pan and fry the balls, turning them, for 5 to 8 minutes, until golden all over. Drain on kitchen paper and serve warm.
Made it at home? Tick it off and it goes into your kitchen passport.

Guinness World Records recognised a giant bolón of 292 kg, made in New York.

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