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Alcapurrias

Crispy Puerto Rican fritters made with a green banana and yautía dough, stuffed with seasoned ground beef.

65 minMediumServes 6380 cal/serving

Puerto RicanAppetizerStovetopStandardDairy-FreeNut-FreeEgg-FreeSoy-FreePork-FreeAlcohol-Free

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Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1/4 cup soffrito
  • 1/4 cup tomato sauce
  • 1.5 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup achiote oil
  • 4 green bananas, grated
  • 1/2 lb yautía root, grated
  • 4 cups vegetable oil

Instructions

  1. 1

    Heat a portion of 1/4 cup achiote oil in a skillet over medium heat.

  2. 2

    Add 1/4 cup soffrito and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.

  3. 3

    Add 1 lb ground beef, 1/4 cup tomato sauce, and half of the 1.5 tsp salt, cooking until meat reaches an internal temperature of 160F.

  4. 4

    In a bowl, combine 4 grated green bananas, 1/2 lb grated yautía root, remaining salt, and remaining achiote oil to form a smooth dough.

  5. 5

    Spread dough on parchment, add beef filling, fold into a cylinder, and seal edges.

  6. 6

    Heat 4 cups vegetable oil in a deep pot to 350F and fry alcapurrias for 5 to 7 minutes until golden brown.

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Questions

What is Alcapurrias?

Crispy Puerto Rican fritters made with a green banana and yautía dough, stuffed with seasoned ground beef. This reference files it under Puerto Rican appetizer: made on the stovetop, rated medium and about 65 minutes start to finish.

How hot should the oil be for Alcapurrias?

For Alcapurrias, the target internal temperature is 160 F (about 70 C), given in step 3. A probe thermometer removes the guesswork. The frying oil is held at 350 F (about 175 C) in step 6. Hotter scorches the outside before the inside cooks, and cooler turns it greasy.

What should Alcapurrias look like when it is ready?

Go by the cues in the method rather than the clock. Step 6: cook until golden brown. A reading of 160 F on a thermometer settles it.

Is there a substitute for achiote in Alcapurrias?

The entry for Alcapurrias calls for 1/4 cup achiote oil. In its place: Mix paprika with a pinch of turmeric and a few drops of vinegar for the color and mild earthiness.

Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef in Alcapurrias?

Yes. Choose turkey that is not extra-lean and add a tablespoon of oil to the pan, because turkey has less fat and browns more slowly. Season it a little harder than you would beef. As written, the entry for Alcapurrias uses 1 lb ground beef.

How many calories are in Alcapurrias?

One serving (the recipe makes 6) is about 380 calories, with 16 g protein, 32 g carbohydrate and 22 g fat, plus 4 g fiber and 520 mg sodium. The figures are estimates computed from the ingredient list.

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