Alcapurria

By carvalhohm

Ingredients

• 3/4 tsp. Ground Black Pepper
• Red Pepper Flakes (optional) to taste
• 1 tsp. Garlic Powder
• Salt to taste
• 1-1/4 tsp dried Oregano
• 1 tsp. Onion Powder
• Oil for frying
• 1/2 cup Achiote Oil
• 3 rounded tbs. Sofrito
• 1 tbs Oil
• 1-lb. Ground Beef (You may not need all the cooked beef)
• 1/4 c. Tomato Sauce
• 1 tbs. White Vinegar
• 3 lbs. Green Bananas
• 1 lg Green Plantain

Details

Adapted from youtube.com

Preparation

Step 1

In a large bowl add vinegar and all spices and mix together. When mixture appears crumbly stir in sofrito. Once mixed pour in 1 tbs oil and then stir in beef with spices. When meat and spice are blended set aside for 15 minutes to 1 hour.

15 minutes later: Place a large skillet on high heat. Put in meat and spices mixture into skillet. When meat has browned, lower temperature to lowest heat setting and stir in tomato sauce. Cover skillet and cook on low heat for 30 minutes.

Note:
For the next step we will use the finest grate on a box grater to mash the green bananas and the plantain. Please use the grater with caution as the bananas are slippery when mashed and you can easily scrape or cut your fingers against the grate.

Peel all green bananas and green plantain. Grate bananas and plantain on finest grate on grate box. When you have finished grating the green bananas and green plantain mix together with a fork. Slowly add in all achoite oil. When achoite oil is incorporated add in salt and pepper to taste -- you may also add any spices you wish to use into mixture.

30 minutes has passed since covering the beef--It should be completely cooked. Remove meat from skillet onto a plate-draining out any excess oil.

To make the alcapurria: Using a large spoon (or about 3 tbs for a large alcapurria and 1 tbs for smaller ones) place banana mixture into a piece of parchment paper. Spread out mixture into an oval or circle shape. Use spoon to make a small indented well in the center of mixture. Add in 1- 2 heaping teaspoons of the meat mixture into the indented well. Press meat lightly into banana mixture. Close parchment paper to seal the alcapurria --this should create a cylinder shape and the meat will be enclosed completely by the banana mixture.

In a large pan add in approximately ½ inch of oil. When oil is hot lower temperature to med-low heat. Add in alcapurrias. When the bottom and sides of the alcapurria is golden brown -- turn over. Complete cooking time should be from 4 minutes for small alcapurria to 8 minutes for large ones. Cook until golden brown on all sides.

Drain on a paper towel lined plate.

Serve hot!!

This can be served as an appetizer or snack and can also be enjoyed as part of a meal.