Timber 2 Table - Venison and Plantain Piñón Casserole

Savory ground venison and strips of sweet fried plantain combine for a version of this classic Puerto Rican comfort food

Venison and Plantain Piñón Casserole


45 Min

Prep Time


35 Min

Cook Time


5-7

Servings


Medium

Difficulty

Like most Puerto Rican comfort foods, piñón or pastelón casserole is a blend of sweet and savory flavors. It features ground meat and fried plantain slices layered in a lasagna-style dish. Just like traditional lasagna, the dish features melty, gooey cheese throughout.

The dish features layers of fried plantain, vegetables, and meaty sauce, all held together by lots of melted cheese.

Ingredients

4 garlic cloves

2 red bell peppers, seeded and chopped

1 Cubanelle pepper, seeded and chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

1 small bunch cilantro

1 cup tomato sauce

1/4 cup pimiento-stuffed green olives

1 cup vegetable oil

6 ripe (yellow) plantains, sliced lengthwise into thin strips

1 lb. ground venison

1 tablespoon adobo seasoning

1 tablespoon capers

1/2 cup golden raisins

Kosher salt

2 cups shredded mozzarella, divided

One 14-ounce can cut green beans, drained (or about 2 cups of home canned)

3 large eggs, beaten

Cooking Instructions

Like many Puerto Rican recipes, this one starts with a sofrito. Add the garlic, peppers, onion, cilantro, tomato sauce, and olives to a food processor. Process until everything is finely chopped and blended, but not quite smooth. Set the sofrito aside.

Blend the sofrito ingredients in the food processor.

Heat a cup of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the plantain slices in batches, one layer at a time, for 3 to 4 minutes per side or until they start to take on a golden-brown color. Move each batch to a paper-lined platter until all plantains have been fried.

Fry the plantain strips before adding them to the dish.

Repeat the process, ending with a top layer of plantains and cheese. Pour over the beaten egg. Cover with foil and bake the piñón at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking another 5 to 10 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Rest for 15 minutes before slicing.

Bake the casserole to allow the flavors to blend and the cheese to melt.