Fufu de Plátano — Print Recipe

A traditional Afro-Cuban mashed plantain dish where green plantains are boiled and mashed with garlic, olive oil, and cracklings, similar to West African fufu.

Ingredients

4 green plantains, peeled and cut into chunks
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup chicken broth
1 tbsp lime juice
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1 Boil the green plantain chunks in salted water for 20 to 25 minutes until they are completely tender and can be easily pierced with a fork.
2 While the plantains cook, heat the olive oil in a small skillet and sauté the minced garlic over low heat for 2 to 3 minutes until golden and fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
3 Drain the cooked plantains and place them in a large bowl, then mash them vigorously with a fork or potato masher until smooth but still slightly chunky.
4 Pour the garlic oil, chicken broth, lime juice, salt, and pepper over the mashed plantains and stir everything together until well combined and creamy.
5 Serve hot as a side dish alongside stewed meats, black beans, or roasted chicken, optionally topped with extra garlic oil drizzled on top.

Did You Know?

Fufu de plátano has direct roots in West African fufu brought to Cuba by enslaved Africans, and it remains one of the most important examples of African culinary influence on Cuban cuisine.