Puerto Rican Stuffed Potato Balls Recipe

July 29, 2023 Post a Comment

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Puerto Rican Papas Rellenas (Stuffed Potatoes) Kitchen Gidget from www.kitchengidget.com

Description

Puerto Rican stuffed potato balls, or "alcapurrias," are a popular snack in Puerto Rico. They are made with a dough made from grated root vegetables, filled with a savory meat mixture, and then deep-fried until golden brown. These delicious and hearty snacks are perfect for a party, a snack, or as a main dish.

Prep Time

Preparation time for this recipe is approximately 30 minutes.

Cook Time

Cooking time for this recipe is approximately 20 minutes.

Ingredients

For the dough:

2 cups grated yucca root
1 cup grated green plantain
1/2 cup grated taro root
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup water

For the filling:

1 lb ground beef
1/2 cup sofrito
1/4 cup tomato sauce
1/4 cup green olives, chopped
1/4 cup raisins
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

For frying:

Vegetable oil

Equipment

Large mixing bowl
Medium mixing bowl
Frying pan
Slotted spoon
Food processor or grater

Method

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the grated yucca, green plantain, and taro root. 2. Add the flour, salt, garlic powder, oregano, cumin, and black pepper to the bowl and mix well. 3. Slowly add water to the bowl, mixing until a dough forms. 4. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, sofrito, tomato sauce, green olives, raisins, salt, and black pepper. 5. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly distributed. 6. Take a small ball of the dough, about the size of a golf ball, and flatten it in the palm of your hand. 7. Place a spoonful of the meat mixture in the center of the flattened dough. 8. Fold the dough over the filling, sealing the edges and forming a ball. 9. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling. 10. Heat vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. 11. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the stuffed potato balls to the pan, being careful not to overcrowd. 12. Fry the potato balls until golden brown, about 4-5 minutes, flipping occasionally. 13. Use a slotted spoon to remove the potato balls from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. 14. Serve hot.

Notes

These potato balls can be made ahead of time and frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply place them in a 350-degree oven for about 10 minutes, or until heated through.

Nutrition Info

This recipe makes approximately 12 potato balls. Each ball contains approximately 200 calories, 8g fat, 18g carbohydrates, and 13g protein.

Recipes FAQ

What is sofrito?

Sofrito is a mixture of aromatics used in many Latin American and Caribbean dishes. It typically includes onions, garlic, peppers, and cilantro.

Can I use different meats in the filling?

Yes, you can use any ground meat you prefer, such as pork or chicken. You can also make a vegetarian version by using a mixture of vegetables and beans.

Recipe Tips

To make the potato balls easier to handle, wet your hands with water before shaping the dough around the filling. This will prevent the dough from sticking to your hands. Be sure to use a slotted spoon when frying the potato balls, as this will allow excess oil to drain off and prevent them from becoming too greasy.