Description
What Is Mofongo?
Mofongo de Chicharrón is a classic Caribbean dish primarily made of mashed fried green plantains, blended with crispy pork cracklings (chicharrón). This combination gives the dish its distinctive rich, meaty flavor. Enhanced with aromatic garlic, a dash of olive oil or butter, and salt, the mixture is traditionally shaped using a "pilón" (mortar and pestle). The result is a dense, savory treat often paired with broth or other proteins, celebrating the transformative power of simple ingredients.
Ingredients
- Green plantains: These are the base of the dish. The plantains are peeled, sliced, and then fried until they are golden.
- Garlic: Crushed garlic gives mofongo its signature flavor. The garlic is often made into a paste and mixed into the dish.
- Pork cracklings (chicharrón): These are crushed and mixed with the mashed plantains. Some versions of mofongo use bacon or other forms of pork.
- Olive oil or butter: This is used to sauté the garlic and also to add moisture and richness to the mashed plantains.
- Salt: To taste.
Steps
- The green plantains are peeled, sliced, and fried.
- The fried plantains are then mashed in a mortar and pestle (pilón) with garlic, chicharrón, and a bit of olive oil or butter.
- The mixture is molded into individual servings, typically with a cup or the pilón itself.
- Mofongo can be served with a variety of broths, meats, or seafood on the side or on top.