Tangy Puerto Rican Alcapurrias with Plantain and Beef Filling

Name: Tangy Puerto Rican Alcapurrias with Plantain and Beef Filling
Prep time: 2 h
Cook time: 2 h
Total time: 2 h
Yield: 8
Cuisine: Snack
Ingredients: Green plantains; Yucca root; Annatto oil; Salt; Ground beef; Onion; Garlic; Bell pepper; Tomato sauce; Olive oil; Ground cumin; Oregano; Salt and pepper; Vegetable oil

A Caribbean delight wrapped in crispy plantain dough

These Puerto Rican alcapurrias feature a delicious beef filling encased in a crispy plantain and yucca exterior, perfect for a savory snack or appetizer.

2 h 30 min
8
Intermediate

Ingredients

Plantain Dough

Green plantains

4, peeled and grated

Yucca root

1 pound, peeled and grated

Annatto oil

1 tablespoon

Salt

1 teaspoon

Beef Filling

Ground beef

1 pound

Onion

1 small, finely chopped

Garlic

2 cloves, minced

Bell pepper

1, finely chopped

Tomato sauce

1 can (8 oz)

Olive oil

1 tablespoon

Ground cumin

1 teaspoon

Oregano

1 teaspoon

Salt and pepper

to taste

Frying

Vegetable oil

for deep frying

Preparation

Marinating the Beef

Combine Ingredients

In a bowl, combine the ground beef, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper.

Mix and Marinate

Mix well and let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.

Prepare Dough

Meanwhile, prepare the dough mixture.

Preparing the Plantain Dough

Combine Plantains and Yucca

In a large bowl, combine the grated plantains and yucca.

Add Oil and Salt

Add annatto oil and salt; mix thoroughly until smooth.

Rest the Dough

Cover and let it rest for 15 minutes to enhance flavors.

Use a food processor for a finer dough texture that binds better. Chill the dough for easier handling and shaping.

Cooking Process

Sauté the Filling

In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté onions, garlic, and bell peppers until soft. Add marinated ground beef and cook until browned. Stir in tomato sauce and simmer for 15 minutes or until mixture thickens.

Form the Alcapurrias

Take a small handful of dough, flatten it in your palm, add a tablespoon of beef filling, fold and mold into an oval shape.

Fry to Perfection

Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan. Fry the alcapurrias in batches until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side.

Plating & Serving