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RADP / Pulse Ghana  >  Lifestyle  >  Food travel

How to make traditional Pasteless

Arthur Portia
  • Prep: 1 hour
  • Cook: 3 hours
  • Ready In : 4 hours
  • Serves: 6- 8
Pasteless ( Immaculate Bites)
Pasteless ( Immaculate Bites)

ingredients

  • Pork Filling
  • 2 pounds pork (from pork shoulder, finely diced)
  • 2-3 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 2-3 tablespoons Puerto Rican sofrito sauce
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced
  • 2 teaspoons oregano
  • ½ cup red bell pepper
  • 1-2 tablespoons jalapenos pepper
  • 1 envelope Sazon sin achiote
  • ½ cup chopped tomatoes or tomato sauce
  • 1 cup chickpeas (optional)
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • Cassava Masa Dough
  • 6 lbs cassava
  • 1 1/2 tablespoon garlic
  • 2 tablespoons onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 2 packet Sazon with achiote
  • 4-5 tablespoons achiote oil
  • Traditional Masa
  • 5-6 green bananas
  • 1 green plantain
  • 1 pound yautias, cocoyams or taro root
  • 1 medium potato
  • 1 pound pumpkin (Calabaza) or squash

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  • Method
  • Masa (Dough)
  • Cut off both ends of cassava /yuca and then cut them in half.
  • Make a shallow cut into the skin of the cassava and gradually work your knife under the layer of the cassava/yuca to remove the skin. Split in half then remove the inner woody core in the centre discard it.
  • Cut into small chunks and wash immediately to prevent discolouration and leave them in cool water until ready to use.
  • If making traditional masa, peel the bananas, plantains, taro root, potatoes, cocoyams and pumpkin.
  • Cut in small pieces and proceed with the rest of the instructions.
  • Pulse the cassava/yuca in a food processor with until puree or use a grater to grate it. You may have to do so in batches.
  • Pour it out in a large bowl, then add the garlic powder, onion, salt, oil and season- thoroughly mix and set aside.
  • Pork Filling
  • Place a large skillet over medium heat, as soon as it’s hot add about 2-3 tablespoons oil, add diced pork and cook until slightly brown or pork is no longer pink. This may take about 6-7 minutes.
  • Add sofrito, garlic, onions, oregano and cumin to the skillet, cook about 3-5 minutes or until onions are wilted.
  • Throw in tomatoes and chickpeas, if using any. Then add about ¾ cup broth or water.
  • Simmer uncovered until the liquid reduces and just coats the pork, about 15 minutes or more.
  • Season the pork filling to taste with salt and let cool slightly. Adjust seasonings spices, if needed. Set aside.
  • Assembling Pasteles
  • Prepare a work surface to assemble and wrap the pasteles. You may use a board or countertop for this process.
  • If using freshly picked banana or plantain leaves, cut off the central rib and trim off the edges. Cut into the desired sizes. To make them flexible for folding, wilt in single layers, or slightly overlapping, in a 200F oven for 5-10 minutes. An alternative method of wilting is to place the leaves directly over the coils of an electric range on low heat or pass them carefully over the low flame of a gas range. Be careful not to burn them unduly. Wipe with a damp kitchen cloth or paper towel.
  • To start the wrapping, place one parchment paper on a surface and, top with one piece of banana leaf. Then brush with achiote oil.
  • Add about 2 tablespoons of masa, spread masa to form a small square, just like in the pictures.
  • Add about a spoon of pork filling to the masa.
  • Pick up the edge of the pasteles closest to you, and fold it over the filling until the edge of the masa closest to you touches the on the other side. This helps the pasteles to stay fully enclosed. Fold the bottom edge of the square up and over so that the masa encloses the pork filling.
  • Tie the pasteles with kitchen string. Repeat to form the remaining pasteles.
  • At this point, you can freeze any pasteles you are not going to cook and eat right away. Place them in zip-top bags, date, label, and freeze.
  • Cooking Pasteles
  • Line a large steamer or Large pot with a layer of banana-leaf scraps, use leftover scraps if any.
  • Add about a cup or more of water – then bring to a boil. Next, place the pasteles in two loose layers. Add as much hot water as needed to almost submerge the pasteles. Cover with any remaining banana leaves.
  • Let the pasteles cook for about a 1 hour or more, adding water as needed, you should not let the water dry out. Do a taste test, if needed to ensure that the pasteles are fully cooked.
  • Turn the heat off and let the pasteles sit in the pot for about an additional 20 minutes, so it cools down.
  • Carefully remove pasteles with tongs, if they are hot. You do not want to get burned.
  • Transfer the pasteles to a platter. Take off strings, carefully open pasteles – it releases hot steam as you open.
  • Serve warm.

Source: Immaculate Bites

Arthur Portia Arthur Portia Portia Arthur writes books, she is best known for her maiden children’s book titled ‘Against The Odds’. She is interested in topics related to fashion, beauty, food, relationship and travel. She is also a peer counsellor.

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