Seasoned cornmeal dough filled with a savory mixture of chicken, olives, capers, and raisins, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. A beloved Christmas tradition in Trinidad.
Ingredients
3 cups cornmeal
2 cups chicken broth
3 tbsp butter
2 lbs chicken thigh meat diced
1 onion diced
4 cloves garlic minced
1/4 cup capers
1/4 cup olives sliced
1/4 cup raisins
2 tbsp green seasoning
banana leaves for wrapping
salt and pepper to taste
kitchen string
Instructions
1Cook cornmeal with chicken broth and butter until thick and smooth. Season with salt.
2Saute chicken with onion, garlic, green seasoning, olives, capers, and raisins until cooked through.
3Soften banana leaves over an open flame or in hot water.
4Spread cornmeal on banana leaf, add filling in center, fold leaf to enclose.
5Tie with string and steam for 45 minutes. Unwrap and serve.
Did You Know?
Making pastelles is a family affair in Trinidad. Families gather in December for 'pastelle parties' where everyone helps wrap dozens of pastelles.