How Long Should I Cook Frozen Pasteles

Pasteles de Masa | There are three things you must have on the table for a proper Puerto Rican Christmas pernil, arroz con gandules, and pasteles!  This post is all about pasteles, the most magical treat wrapped in a banana leaf.

What are Pasteles?

If you're not familiar with pasteles they can be a little hard to describe. Some people compare them to tamales except that they are nothing like tamales except that they are labor-intensive and wrapped.

The masaof pasteles can be a mixture ofyautia(taro root), green plantain, green banana, and sometimes kabocha pumpkin. I like to make my masa using all of these.

Tips for Making Pasteles

I cannot tell a lie; pasteles are a project so a lot of times people will buy them by the dozen from someone who makes them.

However because I am in Tennessee and not Puerto Rico, it is difficult to find someone who makes and sells pasteles, I decided to make my own. Besides, it's more fun to make them yourself.

• If you decided to take on this endeavor, it is best if done with some helping hands. It's a tradition for the family to gather in the kitchen around a large pot of masa and make a pasteles assembly line.
• In order to make it easier it is best if the process is divided over 2 or 3 days. Trust me trying to make pasteles from start to finish all in one day is exhausting.
• Embrace the food processor. Before grating yautia and plantains had to be done by hand. Today we have food processors with shredding blades. Unfortunately, the process of peeling yautia, plantains, and green bananas are still up to us.
• If you have never peeled a plantain or green banana check out this tutorial on How to Peel a Plantain.

Masa vs Yuca

There are two versions of pasteles, pasteles de masa which is made with a mixture of green plantains, green bananas, kabocha pumpkin and yautia (malanga), and the other pasteles de yuca is made with a seasoned mixture of yuca root. They are both wrapped in banana leaves and boiled in water for 45 minutes.

Gathering around the table with family assembling pasteles is a bonding Christmas tradition. It's a gathering of generations, with the older generation passing down culinary traditions to the younger. And, these traditions are some of the most important to pass on.

How to Assemble Pasteles

It is best to divide this project up over 2 days.  You can do this one of two ways.

You can choose to make the yuca and the achiote oil on day one and the filling and assembly on day two or you can do everything on day one and assembly on day two.

I prefer the second option, but whatever makes you happy. pasteles

How to Cook Frozen Pasteles

One of the best things about pasteles is cleaning out the freezer in June and finding a forgotten bundle in the back of the freezer. There is no need to defrost pasteles before cooking.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and carefully add the frozen pasteles to the boiling water. Simmer covered for an hour, until tender.

You can also cook them frozen in an Instant Pot with at high pressure for 30 minutes with 1 cup of water, quickly releasing the pressure.

I always joked that pasteles are the gift you unwrap on Christmas Eve. The moment I pull a pastel from the water and start to unwrap it my mouth begins to water.

I say with all the confidence in the world one taste of this recipe and your knees will buckle.

I know making pasteles can be hard work but Christmas only happens once a year. The time with family and the passing down of tradition is worth it all.

The best part of pasteles is the one that gets lost at the back of the freezer and you find it months later when you're cleaning out the freezer. It's like Christmas all over again!

Need more Puerto Rican recipes? Check out my full collection of Puerto Rican recipes!

more puerto rican christmas recipes

• roasted pernil
• pavochon
• arroz con gandules
• flan de queso
• arroz con dulce

Instructions

DAY 1

Filling

1. Combine all filling ingredients in a pressure cooker. Set to cook for 30 minutes. Let it come back to pressure naturally without releasing it.
2. Uncover and set to brown/simmer for 15 minutes. Let cool and store in airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Masa

1. Using the fine shredder blade on your food processor or a manual grater, grate the plantain, green bananas, yautia, and pumpkin. Depending on the size of your food processor you may have to work in batches.
2. Change out the shredder blade for the chopping blade. Working in batches process the shredded vegetables until the fine and pasty.
3. Add remaining masa ingredients and mix until well combined. Transfer to a bowl, cover and refrigerate.

Achiote Oil

1. Heat 1 1/2 - 2 cups of vegetable oil, add 6 tbs of annatto seeds to the oil. Allow the seeds to simmer until the oil reaches a bright red color.
2. Strain the seeds from the oil and discard the seeds. Allow the oil to cool and store in a sealed container until ready to use.

DAY 2

Prep Banana Leaves

1. Remove the ridge from the leaves. Cut the banana leaves into 12 x 12-inch squares and wash the banana leaves under warm running water.
2. Working in batches microwave the banana leaves for 1.5 to 2 minutes, this helps make the leaf more flexible.

Assembly *see video above*

1. Set up assembly station with masa mixture, filling, achiote oil, banana leaves, paper for pastels, and butchers twine.
2. Stack the pastels paper and banana leaves, alternating them starting with the pastel paper. Spread 1 tsp of achiote oil on the banana leaf. Scoop 1/2 cup of the masa mixture onto the banana leave and spread out into a rectangle.
3. Place 2 tablespoons of filling down the center and top with pimentos if you like. Using the banana leaf fold the masa over the filling.
4. Bring the leaf ends together. Fold over twice to create a tight seal. Tuck the ends under, if the banana leaf splits a little don't stress we are going to fold it again in the paper. Do the same wrap and fold with the paper. If you use only pastel paper I recommend double wrapping.
5. Tie the pastel with butchers twine like a present. At this point, you can boil them right away, or you can freeze them until ready to use. When ready to cook bring a large pot of water to a boil, drop in pasteles and boil for 45 minutes for fresh and 1 hour for frozen. They can also be cooked in the pressure cooker for 30 minutes with 1 cup of water.
6. Using a pair of tongs pick the pastel out of the water by the string and place on a paper towel. Cut the string and gently unwrap. Enjoy!

Notes

How to peel a plantain or green banana

Recaito is a very important part of seasoning the masa. Although it can be bought in many Latin and Asian grocery stores in the frozen section homemade is best. It can be made ahead of time and frozen for later use.

Many of the ingredients including the banana leaves can be found at your local Latin or Asian grocery store.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 311 Total Fat: 20g Saturated Fat: 7g Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 36mg Sodium: 325mg Carbohydrates: 26g Fiber: 5g Sugar: 8g Protein: 12g

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How Long Should I Cook Frozen Pasteles

Source: https://thenoshery.com/pasteles-de-masa/

Posted by: browngamen1966.blogspot.com

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