I grew up in a traditional Latino household where our meals always consisted of rice, beans, and meat. I loved it. The infusion of flavors and textures always had me asking for seconds. My mom and my great grandmother always tried different Puerto Rican recipes but on special occasions my abuela would make mofongo. It is my absolute favorite Puerto Rican dish. Crispy platanos (green plantains), chicharrones (pork crackling), and a savory sauce. We also ate arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas) on special occasions, usually for holidays and birthdays. In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, I’ve partnered with IMUSA and Goya Foods. Both are products I saw my abuela and mom use when they cooked our meals.
When I first started dating my husband, he hadn’t really ate Puerto Rican food, he was from Nicaragua and though we’re both Latinos our foods are quite different. Puerto Rican food is traditionally cooked with lots of spices and herbs. It is filled with a lot of flavor. He instantly loved it. His favorite recipe is arroz con gandules – now it’s not just done for special occasions – I make it quite often for him. I try my best to fuse both cultures! I love Nicaraguan foods – Carne asada and gallo pinto – YUM!
I would love to share the way I learned to make Arroz con gandules and mofongo. Everyone does it differently but my rice comes out perfect every time – lots of practice! Rice can be tricky sometimes but using the right instruments will help you succeed. I used the IMUSA nonstick caldero to get my rice perfectly cooked.
Let’s get to my favorite meal – Mofongo! Its green plantains, fried once, smashed in a mortar with garlic and chicharones. It’s amazing. Many people eat it with a broth but I prefer a red sauce that is a combination of tomato sauce, garlic, herbs, and spices. It’s so good!
Mofongo (2 servings)
- 2-3 green plantains
- Pork crackling/Chicharrones (can find these in the latin supermarkets)
- 1 tbsp GOYA® Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- minced garlic
- salt
- Oil for frying
Directions:
1. In a frying pan, put a generous amount of oil to heat.
2. In the meantime, peel the green plantains and cut them in pieces to fry. Once they are golden and cooked through, remove and place on a paper towel to drain. Sprinkle with salt.
3. Grab your pestle and mortar/pilon and add some olive oil to help with easy removal. Place 2-3 piece of plantain pieces, some garlic, and pork crackling and start mashing. Add a few more pieces until you get your desired amount.
4. Flip the mortar to remove your mofongo. You may need to pass a butter knife around the edges to loosen. You can smash it until its really squashed or keep it chunky like I do. I like the crunchy pieces.
If you want to learn more about Goya Foods and IMUSA, please visit their website for additional recipes you can make to celebrate Hispanic heritage month and get updates on the latest happenings.
How do you celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?
Disclosure: This post is in partnership with Goya Foods, Inc. and IMUSA. All opinions stated here are my own.
That looks really yummy!
This looks so delicious! I love fried plantains but have never had the chance to make them!
It is so easy! Just give it a try one day. Fried plantains are fried twice but mofongo only requires frying once! You’ll love it!
I know! Why don’t you come over and cook for me??? LOL, I know I would love all of these!
Ha ha, of course! I can do these recipes with my eyes closed, so no problem!
Fried plantains are awesome especially with a little cinnamon and sugar! This looks great too!
I love Hispanic flavors and this looks so good. I am pinning it!
I’ve heard of Mofongo, but I’ve never tasted it. We have lots of plantains here, I’m going to try this.
I’ve never heard of green pigeon peas. Are they similar to green peas?
Sounds so good. I don’t usually brach out of my comfort zone or try many new dishes but I think its time to change that! I am missing out!
These all look incredible! I want those bananas right now! I’m literally drooloing as I see your photos! YUM!
I didn’t realize it was hispanic heritage month! These recipes look great and like a fun way to celebrate. I am going to make the Monfongo tonight…YUM!!!
That sounds so good! I love trying new dishes and I can’t wait to make this! Come cook for me!!!
I have never had fried plantains but I have always wanted to try them! This recipe looks like something I’d love to eat. Yum!
That looks super amazing! I can’t wait to try those recipes. Love Hispanic food!
I have a very good friend from college who is Cuban, and she used to make us all kind of delicious Cuban cuisine. I especially adored her arroz con pollo and plantains. Wish I could have some right now.
I’m such a fan of hispanic food. I love to try new recipes and I can’t to try this. It sounds simple, fun and filling!
Yum! I have never made anything like this! It looks so good. Definitely will have to try it.
I haven’t tried quinoa but I should! I read about many benefits from it, will try your recipe soon.
Wow this looks and sounds delicious. I don’t know that I’ve ever tried Puerto Rican food but I love to try new things so I’m going to save this to try.
This looks incredibly yummy!! I don’t think I have much experience cooking this type of food, but I want to try!
It looks so good! This is such a lovely dish packed with so much flavor. I like the red sauce too, I’m definitely keeping this recipe, thank you so much for sharing it with us!
This all looks quite delicious, but the plantains look extra yummy! I had never had plantains until my Haitian brother-in-law made them for me and now I want them all the time!!!
All of this looks so good. I have never had a lot of this before and I am going to have to give it a try.
This recipe looks incredible! So so delicious! I am saving this for later! Thanks for the post!
The olives alone make me want to try this recipe! Haha! Seriously, it looks so incredibly delicious and need to land on my dinner menu soon!
Oh My This looks so good, I love all the kitchen gadgets… I have only tried making plantains once. Let me go pin this for later.
This dish looks so great. I’ve never heard of this before, but i love Hispanic food so will give this a go.
Both recipes look fabulous and I’m going to try them both…..thanks for posting!
Looks delicious! Thank you for the recipes
I love to try different foods and experiment with things my family may enjoy. The plantains looks awesome! Never had them.
Looks delicious! I love Hispanic foods
That looks so good. I love Goya products.