**Alcapurrias: A Taste of Puerto Rican Heritage**
Alcapurrias are a traditional Puerto Rican dish that combines the flavors of sweet plantains, savory ground beef, and a touch of spice. These fritters are made from a mixture of mashed plantains, green bananas, and yautia (a root vegetable), which are then stuffed with a filling of seasoned ground beef, sofrito (a Puerto Rican sofrito), and olives. The alcapurrias are then coated in breadcrumbs and fried until golden brown. They can be served as an appetizer or a main course, and are often accompanied by a dipping sauce such as aji mojo (a spicy garlic sauce). This article provides two variations of this classic dish: a traditional alcapurria recipe and a vegan alcapurria recipe. The traditional recipe includes a flavorful combination of ground beef, sofrito, and olives, while the vegan recipe replaces the ground beef with a hearty filling made from chickpeas, vegetables, and spices. Both recipes offer a unique and delicious way to experience the vibrant flavors of Puerto Rican cuisine.
ALCAPURRIAS
Provided by Food Network
Time 2h5m
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- For the meat: Place a skillet over medium heat and add the canola oil, onions and sofrito. Cook 1 minute, then add ground beef, tomato sauce, adobo, salt and olives. Mix well and let cook until brown, about 6 minutes. Set aside to cool.
- For the fritters: With a knife, cut the skin off the taro root and peel the bananas. Grate the taro root and bananas on the small holes of a box grater. Mix them with the annatto oil, adobo and salt in a bowl. Refrigerate for 1 hour, since the chilled dough is easier to assemble. (This is optional.)
- To assemble the fritters, use wax paper as your base. Cover the center with some annatto oil. Take a heaping 1/4 cup dough and set it in the center of the paper. Spread thinly, then add 3 tablespoons ground beef mixture to the center. Wrap both ends of the paper over each other to make a cylinder-shaped fritter. Push down on the dough to seal the meat inside the fritter. Make sure the dough is sealed completely on both ends and the center. If there are holes, seal them with extra dough, using your finger.
- Heat several inches of canola oil in a Dutch oven or deep-fryer to 350 degrees F.
- Slide the fritters into the hot oil for 5 to 6 minutes. Place them on a plate with a paper towel so the grease is absorbed. Serve immediately with hot sauce if desired.
ALCAPURRIAS RECIPE BY TASTY
Here's what you need: fresh cilantro, fresh culantro, medium green bell pepper, garlics, small yellow onion, adobo seasoning, garlic powder, freshly ground black pepper, vegetable oil, ground beef, spanish olive, dried adobo seasoning, garlic powder, ground black pepper, Sazón Culantro and Achiote seasoning, tomato sauce, unripe bananas, green plantain, yucca root, garlic powder, kosher salt, Sazón Culantro and Achiote seasoning, nonstick cooking spray, vegetable oil, hot sauce
Provided by Tikeyah Whittle
Categories Lunch
Time 1h10m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 25
Steps:
- Make the sofrito: Add the cilantro, culantro, bell pepper, garlic, onion, adobo seasoning, garlic powder, and pepper to a food processor and pulse until the vegetables are broken down and the mixture has the texture of a chunky salsa. Reserve ⅓ cup (75 G) for the filling, then set aside the remaining sofrito for another use. It will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or in the freezer for up to 4 months.
- Make the filling: Heat the vegetable oil in a large, high-walled skillet over medium-high heat. When the oil is shimmering, add the reserved ⅓ cup (75 G) sofrito and cook, stirring frequently, for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef, olives, adobo seasoning, garlic powder, pepper, and Sazón Culantro and Achiote seasoning. Cook until the beef is no longer pink, 5-6 minutes.
- Add the tomato sauce and stir to combine. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the filling to a large bowl and set aside.
- Make the masa: Add the bananas, plantain, and yucca to a food processor and pulse until completely smooth, stopping the push the larger pieces to the bottom as you go. Transfer to a large bowl and add the garlic powder, salt, and Sazón Culantro and Achiote seasoning. Mix well to combine.
- To assemble, grease an 8 x 12-inch (20 x 30 cm) sheet of parchment paper with nonstick spray. Add about ⅔ cup (155 G) masa to the center of the parchment paper. Using a rubber spatula, spread the masa into an oval about ⅓-inch thick, leaving a 1-2-inch (2.5-5 cm) border of parchment around the edges.
- Scoop ⅓ cup (75 G) beef filling onto the center of the masa, leaving a 2-inch (5 cm) border of masa around the meat. Lift a long edge of the parchment paper up and over the filling to enclose with the masa, then repeat with the other side, then the short edges. The masa should stick to itself. Patch any holes with more masa, then use the parchment to gently roll the alcapurria from side to side to seal, making sure the filling is completely enclosed. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large, high-walled skillet to 350°F (180°C) over medium heat. Working with 1 wrapped alcapurria at a time, lower a long edge of the parchment into the oil and very gently roll the alcapurria off so it sits flat-side down, being careful not to splatter the oil. Add another alcapurria and fry for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy. Use tongs or a slotted spoon to transfer to a paper-towel lined plate to drain and cool slightly while you repeat with the remaining alcapurrias.
- Serve immediately with hot sauce for dipping.
- Enjoy!
ALCAPURRIAS DE JUEYES
The fritters known as alcapurrias are the ultimate street food on the island. I remember taking road trips with my family to the east coast just to indulge in this amazing treat. The most popular places to get alcapurrias de jueyes (crab-stuffed fritters) are in a small town called Luquillo, famous for its colorful roadside stands known as Los Kioskos de Luquillo, and in the town of Loíza, popular for their fogones (wood-burning pits).
Provided by Food Network
Categories side-dish
Time 3h50m
Yield 10 to 15 fritters
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- For the masa: Peel and cut the taro roots and bananas into small chunks. Grate the taro and bananas in a food processor fitted with the shredding blade (see Cook's Note). Transfer to a medium bowl. Change the blade on the food processor to the cutting blade. Add the shredded vegetables, lard, adobo and sazón and puree until it forms a dough. Transfer to the same medium bowl, cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
- For the fritters: To prepare the crab filling, heat the lard in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the crabmeat, reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon, for 5 minutes. Stir in the sofrito, season with salt and pepper to taste and cook until opaque, about 5 minutes. Let cool to room temperature.
- To form the alcapurrias, spray a sheet of aluminum foil or wax paper with olive oil cooking spray, put about 1/4 cup of the dough on the foil and form into a patty. Place 1 tablespoon of the crab filling in the center of the dough, fold up one side of the foil over the dough and roll it while gently pressing down to form a log 4 to 5 inches long. Fold in the sides of the foil or wax paper. If the dough feels soft, refrigerate for a few minutes until firm before frying. Repeat with the remaining masa and crab filling.
- Pour about 2 inches oil in a large saute pan or deep large skillet and heat over high heat until very hot. Peel away the foil or wax paper from 3 alcapurrias and gently slide or roll into the hot oil and cook until deep golden brown all over and firm to the touch, 5 to 7 minutes. Repeat with the remaining alcapurrias.
- Drain on paper towels and allow to cool slightly before serving. Serve with hot sauce.
ALCAPURIAS
Provided by Evette Rodriguez
Categories appetizer
Time 1h
Yield 30 or so depending on the size
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- In a small saucepan heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil with the annatto seeds until the olive oil changes color; it should be a mild orange/red. Strain and set aside.
- Using a food processor, process the yautia and green plantain on medium speed until nice and smooth; add the salt and strained annatto oil. Now you have a fresh masa; place in the refrigerator.
- Preheat a large Dutch oven on medium-high heat. Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and sofrito. Stir-fry for 1 minute and add the ground beef. Brown the beef and add the Latin seasoning mix, garlic powder, onion powder and oregano mixing well. Add the beef stock and simmer on medium-low for 10 minutes. Remove the beef from the heat, strain the raisins and add them to the beef mixture mixing well. Set aside to cool.
- Remove the masa from the refrigerator and using 1 to 2 tablespoons (depending on how large you want them) scoop out of the bowl and into the palm of your water moistened hand patting into a round disk to prepare it for the filling (the masa can be a little too pliable; if you notice that you can't form a round disk, place the masa in the refrigerator to firm it up before proceeding). Add a teaspoon or more of beef mixture to the center of the masa and using a patting motion (as if you were making a snow ball) pat the masa around the beef to form a ball being very careful not to let the beef stick out of the plantain. Continue forming the balls until both mixtures are finished. Leftovers of either can be saved for your next meal (I'll show you what to do with them in a future recipe).
- Preheat a large Dutch oven on high and add enough oil to comfortably fry the Alcapurias (about 2 to 3 cups). (Heat the oil to 350 degrees F if you are frying them fresh; if frozen, lower the temperature to 325 degrees F.) When the oil has reached the desired temperature, carefully add the alcapurias 1 at a time making sure not to crowd the pan. Remove and drain on a thick bed of paper towels; transfer to a cooling rack once drained and store in a warm oven until you have completed frying them all.
- To serve: Alcapurias can be placed on a dish and passed around to your guests or on a serving platter and placed on your buffet. They do not require a sauce, topping or dip of any kind. Their unique taste will carry them on your buffet all on their own!
ALCAPURRIAS
Alcapurrias are gound beef filled, fried fritters made from a mixture of grated yautía (taro root) and green bananas. Vendors sell alcapurrias at street side stands and grills throught the Caribbean islands. Change it up by using ground chicken, turkey or pork. For a luxury version stuff the alcapurrias with cuban picadillo. Use food processor to grate the yautía and green bananas. Recipe from Latin Caribbean Food Newsletter by Hector Rodriguez.
Provided by 1PugMom2
Categories Pork
Time 40m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Peel the green bananas and place in a bowl of cold salted water.
- Peel and wash the yautías and place in a bowl of cold salted water.
- Grate the bananas and yautías. Add 2 teaspoons of salt and mix well. Set aside.
- Filling
- In a deep pot or frying pan, brown the ground beef. Drain off the fat.
- Add sofrito, alcaparrado mix, and salt and pepper to taste.cook uncovered for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes.
- Put it together on a piece of wax paper, spread out 1 to 2 tablespoons of the masa mixture and make a shallow well in the center. You can also use the palm of your hand instead of wax paper.
- Put 1 to 2 teaspoons of the filling into the well and cover it with some more masa mix. Use the back of spoon to smooth the masa all around the filling so no meat is showing.
- You can freeze the alcapurrias at this point for eating later.
- Heat enough oil, in a fryer or deep frying pan, to cover the alcapurrias when frying. The oil should be heated to about 360 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Add the alcapurrias, being careful not to splash the oil or crowd the fryer. Fry until crispy and golden, from 5 to 7 minutes.
- Drain the alcapurrias on paper towels and allow to cool before eating.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 380.2, Fat 9.2, SaturatedFat 3.5, Cholesterol 38.6, Sodium 1214.1, Carbohydrate 63.7, Fiber 8.5, Sugar 18.5, Protein 13.8
DELICIOUS ALCAPURRIAS
I LOVE LOVE LOVE alcapurrias. Reminds me of summer. This is the best recipe. It does take a bit of work but its soooo worth it. Once the Masa and the Meat are cold, the time will go fast. They taste AMAZING!!!
Provided by Cat-602
Categories Puerto Rican
Time P2DT2h
Yield 20 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- MASA.
- In a food proccesor/blender add the first 4 ingredents together. Its a large batter so you may have to break it into 2 or 3 batches. I use the Ninja and it works BEAUTIFULY.
- Once all ingredients are blended put in a large bowl then mix the 3 packets of Sazon and Salt. Yes it is a lot of salt but it won't taste the same with out it. Use a potato masher to mix well. Taste Masa to see if more salt is needed. When fryed you won't taste the salt.
- NOTE: Put in fridge over night. Meat mixture CAN NOT be use while hot. The meat will melt the Masa.
- MEAT.
- In a large pot add ALL the ingredients and allow to simmer for 45 minute.
- NOTE: Put in fridge over night. Meat mixture CAN NOT be use while hot. The meat will melt the Masa. (I put this in twice because its VERY important).
- Once both Masa and Meat are cold you can start to make your Alcapurrias. You will need LOTS of wax paper cut into large squares. Fold the wax paper in half and make a rectange that will fit your entire hand. The wax paper will be good for 3 or 4 Alcapurrias. After that it breaks apart. You can always use your bare hands but it gets messy.
- With a large spoon, place a huge scoop of Masa in the middle of the wax paper in your hand. Spreed the masa so it covers from wrist to finger with a nice think layer. Then place 2 or 3 tbs of the meat in the middle of the Masa.
- Fold your hand over and cover the meat with the Masa. Make sure the meat is not exposed. Use as much Masa as you need to cover the meat all the way around. It shoud look like a bullet.
- Place your finished Alcapurrias on a cookie sheet until ready to fry.
- Warm oil to 350.
- Once you have made enough Alcapurrias to fit in your deep pan you can start to fry them.
- They will need to fry for 10 minute Try one and if the Masa is still raw in the middle leave the Alcapurrias on longer. If turning too brown before its ready lower your heat.
- This is a long process but its worth it.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 355.2, Fat 34.6, SaturatedFat 5, Cholesterol 7.7, Sodium 275.3, Carbohydrate 10.7, Fiber 1.1, Sugar 5.2, Protein 2.7
ALCAPURRIAS
Another signature dish, lots of calories but worth all of them! This was emailed to me by a friend, source is unknown.
Provided by l0ve2c00k
Categories Puerto Rican
Time 2h15m
Yield 8-12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Fill a bowl with hot water. Cut the ends of the guineitos and cut a slit lengthwise. Then place the guineitos in the hot water (hot water makes them peel easier).
- Peel the guineitos and yautía and as you peel place them in the salted water. If you are going to use a hand grater use the fine side and grate the vegetables into a plastic bowl. Note: If you have a food processor cut the vegetables into small pieces and process until fine. Add the salt, Sazon and shortening and mix well. Refrigerate for 3 hours or for best results overnight.
- In a frying pan brown the meat. Once browned add all the remaining ingredients and stir well then cook at medium heat for 15 minutes. Taste the meat for seasoning, add more salt if needed to taste.
- Heat 2 cups of vegetable oil to 375 degrees. Take a large piece of aluminum paper and place a little oil on top and smear it around. Spread about 1/4 cup of the alcapurria dough onto the aluminum paper. Place a tablespoon of the meat filling in the middle and flip one side of the dough over using the aluminum paper to cover the meat. Using a spoon help glide the dough gently into the hot oil. Cook until golden brown and blot on paper towels.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 299.2, Fat 8.5, SaturatedFat 2.8, Cholesterol 28.5, Sodium 825.6, Carbohydrate 46.9, Fiber 6.6, Sugar 9.5, Protein 10.6
ALCAPURRIAS
Alcapurrias are best eaten while they are still hot. Remember this considered finger food so dig in and enjoy.
Provided by hoser1818
Categories Spanish
Time 4h
Yield 20 pieces, 10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Instructions: * * * Meat filling * * *.
- You will find the meat filling recipe under the Pastelillos recipe.
- Notice the meat combination of beef, veal and pork. You can leave out the veal and pork if you wish.
- Cut off the ends of the green bananas and with a paring knife make a slit length wise, making sure not to cut to deep, you just want to penetrate the skin.
- Place the bananas in a pan with hot water from the faucet and salt. This will make it easier to peel the skin off the banana.
- Once you have completed this stage, you will notice that the skin has started to come away from the banana.
- Take your knife and just move from side to side in a rocking motion. Do this the length of the banana and notice how easy the skin comes off.
- Place the peeled bananas in a pot with cold water and salt making sure that they are completely covered in water and set aside.
- Follow the same procedure with the green plantains and set aside.
- Peel the yautia and place in a pot with cold salted water.
- Peel the white potato and place in cold salted water.
- If you have or can get hold of a large deep roasting pan it will help you with the next step, and that is the grating part of this recipe. That's right we are going to have to use a grater. If you want a true Alcapurrias we are going to use some elbow grease, no blender or food processor.
- You can start by grating the green bananas right into the roasting pan, followed by the rest of the other vegetables except for the potato, leave that for last. The potato has always been used to clean and remove the residue of the other vegetables.
- Once you have completed the grating add the sofrito and mix thoroughly. Add 1/2; the can of evaporated milk and continue mixing. This would be a good time to add salt and pepper to taste. Now finally you can add the achote colored oil making sure to strain the oil so that none of the achote seeds fall into the mixture. Make sure that the mixture has completely absorbed all of the seasonings. The best way to this is to make sure that your hands have been washed clean and work the mixture like if was a piece of flour dough.
- Once you have completed the mixing of the masa put it in a large covered bowl and allow to rest in the refrigerator for at least four hours or preferably over night.
- When you are ready to fry the Alcapurrias, fill a deep fryer or caldero with enough oil or shortening for deep frying and heat to about 360 degrees.
- Make sure to wash your hands and then scoop out level kitchen spoon full of the mixture and place it on the palm of your hand. Add a teaspoon of filling in the center and then fold and roll into a cylinder shape making sure that the filling is well encased into the mixture. Set aside until you have at least two or three to fry at a time.
- Fry the Alcapurrias bathing the top parts by spooning the hot oil over them until golden brown. Don't raise the heat anymore than you have to you want them to fry slowly so that they will cook completely inside.
- Once they are done remove from the fryer and allow them to drain on a paper towel.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 217.5, Fat 3.7, SaturatedFat 2.1, Cholesterol 12.3, Sodium 87.3, Carbohydrate 45.4, Fiber 3.9, Sugar 19.3, Protein 4.9
Tips:
- Ensure all your ingredients are fresh, especially the green bananas. Unripe bananas will make your alcapurrias bitter.
- Boil the green bananas until they are very soft. This will make them easier to mash and create a smooth dough.
- Do not over-mix the dough. Over-mixing will make the dough tough.
- Be careful when frying the alcapurrias. The oil should be hot enough to prevent the alcapurrias from sticking to the pan, but not so hot that they burn.
- Serve the alcapurrias hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Conclusion:
Alcapurrias are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or side dish. They are easy to make and can be customized to your liking. Whether you prefer them filled with meat, seafood, or vegetables, alcapurrias are sure to please everyone at your table. These fritters are a popular street food in Puerto Rico and other Caribbean countries, and they are also enjoyed in many parts of Latin America. If you are looking for a new and exciting dish to try, give alcapurrias a try. You won't be disappointed!
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