Mofongo is a delicious Puerto Rican dish made from fried plantains mashed with garlic, olive oil, and pork cracklings. It can be served as a side dish or a main course, sometimes accompanied by chicken, shrimp, or beef. Follow these eight steps to create your own mouth-watering mofongo at home.

1. Gather your ingredients:

– 3-4 green plantains

– 1 cup of pork cracklings (chicharrón), or substitute bacon bits

– 4 cloves of garlic, minced

– Salt and pepper to taste

– Olive oil for frying

– Chicken broth (optional, for softening the mixture)

2. Peel the plantains:

Slice both ends off of each plantain. Then, make a shallow slit down the length of the skin on one side. Using your fingers, pry off the skin in one piece or several pieces.

3. Cut the plantains into chunks:

Once all the plantains are peeled, slice them into 1-inch thick chunks.

4. Fry the plantains:

Heat about an inch of olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Once it’s hot enough, fry the plantain chunks until they’re golden brown on all sides (about 3-4 minutes each side). Be sure not to overcrowd the pan.

5. Mash the garlic:

Using a mortar and pestle (pilón), mash the minced garlic with a pinch of salt and pepper until it forms a paste.

6. Mash the fried plantains:

Add the fried plantain chunks to the mortar with the garlic paste while they’re still hot. Pound and mash the mixture with your pestle until it reaches your desired consistency — some prefer a smoother texture, while others like it chunky.

7. Add pork cracklings or bacon bits:

Mix in pork cracklings or bacon bits to the plantain mixture, and continue mashing until well combined.

8. Shape and serve:

Scoop portions of the mofongo onto plates and shape them into balls, small towers, or your preferred form. Mofongo can be eaten as is or served with a side of chicken broth for softening.

If you want to make a larger main course, consider incorporating sautéed shrimp, beef, or chicken on top or served on the side.

Enjoy your homemade mofongo!