The boon de Verde is a traditional breakfast among the peasants of the coast of Ecuador. The very name of the dish tells us exactly what it is: a ball of plantain, called green, which is highly appreciated in that Latin American country.
This bolón de verde recipe can have various fillings, but the most typical are pork rinds or cheese. It can also happen that it has both ingredients, which makes it a mixed bolón.
There is no specific or unique way to make bolón de verde. Plantains can be fried, roasted, or boiled before being mashed. It is also possible to choose between using very green bananas and using slightly more ripe ones, which will give it a sweet touch. Onion or other herbs can be added.
In any case, we want to teach you how to make bolón de verde with a simple and quick preparation so that you can try this delicious dish and enjoy it with your loved ones.
Ingredients to make Bolón de verde:
• 2 green or pinton bananas
• 150 grams of pork crackling
• 150 grams of white or fresh cheese
• ½ dessert spoon of salt
• 1 tablespoon of butter
• Enough oil to fry
How to make Green Bolón:
As in other Ecuadorian recipes, the plantain, or dry plantain, is the main ingredient. In this step, you can choose the cooking method you prefer. We decided to boil it. It takes about 15 minutes for them to be ready, if you count from the time it breaks the boil.
When they are cooked, drain them and mash them with the help of a potato masher or a fork. Add the salt and the tablespoon of butter. When it is still warm, at least enough to handle with your hands, add the finely chopped or ground pork rinds and the coarsely grated cheese. Mix everything very well, knead it with your hands until it is integrated. Form the balls with your hands to give them a rounded shape.
Fry the banana bolones in plenty of hot oil. Make sure they brown on all sides. Drain them well on kitchen paper before serving.
Bolón de verde – Suggestions and other recipes
Bolones de verde are crispy, delicious and soft inside, a delicious option for breakfast or to accompany the meal! You can make a vegan version of bolón de verde by skipping the filling and enjoying only the rich flavor of the plantains. Here we leave you other tips that you can keep in mind so that they look amazing on you:
• It is important that the cheese you use is a fresh cheese, but that it does not melt so quickly.
• The amount of salt is inversely proportional to the salt in the cheese. The saltier, the less salt you should add and vice versa.
• The original recipe for bolón de verde uses lard instead of butter. If you use this ingredient in your cooking, you can use it.
• Some more modern versions add certain ingredients to achieve a little more flavor. For example, finely chopped onion, chives, etc. You can use these if you prefer to make a vegan green boon.
