Savory Pork and Plantain Pasteles

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A simplified Puerto Rican twist on traditional pasteles, featuring mashed plantains wrapped around slow-cooked pork filling and steamed to perfection. This Mexican recipe, ready in about 70 minutes, pairs green plantains, potatoes, pork shoulder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 30 min Cook: 40 min Serves 8 Puerto Rican cuisine 280 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Peel and slice 2 green plantains and 2 potatoes into 1-inch pieces. Boil in salted water for 20 minutes until very tender. Drain, mash until smooth, and stir in 1 tsp salt and 2 tbsp cornstarch to thicken.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp lard in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup sofrito and cook 5 minutes until oil separates. Stir in 1 lb shredded pork shoulder and cook 5 minutes to blend flavors. Season with salt to taste.
  3. Step 3: Divide mashed plantain mixture into 8 portions. Place 2 tbsp pork filling on each portion, then wrap the plantain mixture around the filling, pinching edges to seal. Arrange seam-side down in a steamer basket.
  4. Step 4: Steam for 20 minutes until heated through. Serve immediately for a classic Puerto Rican comfort food experience.

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