Pastelón facts for kids
Pastelón
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| Alternative names | Piñón |
|---|---|
| Course | Main course |
| Place of origin | Puerto Rico |
| Serving temperature | Hot |
Pastelón is a yummy Puerto Rican dish. It's a type of casserole that looks a lot like Italian lasagne. Instead of pasta, it uses sweet plantains. These layers are filled with tasty meat and vegetables. Everything is held together with beaten eggs and cheese.
Contents
What is Pastelón?
Pastelón is often called "Puerto Rican lasagna." It's a popular comfort food in Puerto Rico. It's known for its sweet and savory flavors.
How is Pastelón Made?
Making pastelón starts with sweet plantains. First, the plantains are peeled. Then, they are cut into long strips. These strips are fried until they are soft and golden. This creates the "pasta" layers for the dish.
Next, a delicious meat filling is prepared. This usually includes ground meat. It's seasoned with lots of yummy ingredients. These can be bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, and garlic. Herbs like basil and parsley are often added too. Sometimes, olives, capers, and even raisins are included for extra flavor.
To build the pastelón, the fried plantain strips are placed at the bottom of a baking pan. Then, a layer of the seasoned meat filling goes on top. After that, cheese is added. Sometimes, a creamy béchamel sauce or a tangy marinara sauce is also used. These layers are repeated a few times. This creates a dish with many delicious layers, just like lasagna! Finally, the pastelón is baked until it's golden and bubbly.
Different Ways to Make It
While plantains are the most common ingredient, pastelón can be made with other things too. Some people use sweet potato (called batata). Others might use boiled mashed yuca or potatoes instead of plantains. Each version offers a slightly different taste and texture.
Where Did Pastelón Come From?
Because pastelón is so similar to Italian lasagna, some people believe it might have started in New York City. In New York, many Puerto Rican and Italian communities lived close to each other. It's thought that these cultures might have shared cooking ideas. This could have led to the creation of this unique and delicious dish!
Images for kids
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Pastelón
