These Pasteles de Yuca are like little pockets of paradise
Recipe Pasteles De Yuca
Ingredients for 24 servings
1 cup olive oil, divided, plus 2 ounces
2 lb boneless pork shoulder, cubed
1 cup spanish olive, halved crosswise
½ cup sofrito
4 tablespoons annatto seasoning, divided
2 teaspoons salt, plus more to taste
1 cube beef broth cube
1 ½ cups water
4 lb yucca, peeled
1 cup beef broth
FOR WRAPPING
12 oz banana leaves
parchment paper
Directions
Heat ¼ cup of olive oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Add the pork, olives, sofrito, 1 tablespoon of annatto seasoning, salt, the beef broth cube, and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour, or until the pork is tender. Remove from the heat and let cool.
Grate the yuca on the small holes of a box grater. Add to a large bowl filled with water as you are grating so the yuca doesn’t turn brown.
Drain and rinse the yuca, then wrap in a towel and squeeze to extract excess liquid until fully dry.
Add the dry grated yuca to a large bowl with the remaining cup of olive oil, the beef broth, salt to taste, and the remaining 3-4 tablespoons of annatto seasoning. Mix well with your hands to combine.
Cut the banana leaves into 24 10 x 12-inchrectangles. Cut parchment paper into rectangles of the same size.
Turn a burner on the stove to high heat. One at a time, pass the banana leaves evenly over the flame for 1 minute or until the banana leaves turn brighter green and become pliable.
To assemble the pasteles, stack a banana leaf over a piece of parchment on a clean work surface. Spread a bit of the pork cooking liquid over the leaf so that the pastel won’t stick. Add about ½ cup of the yuca mixture and spread into a square shape. Top with about a tablespoon of meat. To seal, fold the banana leaf and parchment paper in half from bottom to top, then fold the top back over the center and tuck in the sides. Tie with butcher’s twine to secure. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
Bring a large pot of water to boil and season with 2 teaspoons of salt. Add the pasteles, cover, and cook for 30-40 minutes, or until the yuca mixture is firm. Remove the pasteles from the water.
Enjoy!