NPH El Salvador’s 80-acre farm provides nourishing food and serves as a living-classroom.

NPH El Salvador
Recipe: Canoas de Platanos Maduros

“Sweet plantain canoes” are a popular snack in El Salvador.

Time: 45 mins Serves: 4

Ingredients

Filling

  • 1lb ground beef
  • 1 onion, minced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 green pepper, minced
  • ½ cup chopped cilantro
  • 2 tsp adobo seasoning
  • 2 tsp oregano
  • 2 Tbsp vinegar
  • 1 packet sazón seasoning
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 8 green stuffed olives, halved
  • ½ cup raisins
  • ¼ cup tomato sauce

Canoas

  • 4 ripe plantains, peeled
  • ½ cup shredded cheese (Monterey Jack or Swiss)
  • Vegetable oil

Directions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 350°F. Combine beef, onion, pepper, garlic, cilantro, adobo, oregano, vinegar, and sazón packet in a bowl. Mix well.
  2. Add olive oil to large skillet and heat over medium-high. Add meat mixture and cook until brown. Add bay leaves, olives, raisins, and tomato sauce. Mix and let simmer for 10 minutes. Set aside.
  3. Add just enough vegetable oil to cover plantains, about 2 in. Fry for 8-10 minutes, until golden and slightly crispy. Let cool on plate with paper towels to drain.
  4. Cut slit vertically down inside curve of plantains, gently prying open. Layer inside with shredded cheese and meat mixture, topping with cheese. Transfer to non-stick sprayed baking dish.
  5. Bake 15-20 minutes, until cheese is melted and browed. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve immediately.

About NPH El Salvador

A Taste of NPH

Other Recipes:
Bolivia | Dominican Republic | El Salvador | Guatemala | Haiti | St. Damien Pediatric Hospital (Haiti) | Honduras | Mexico | Nicaragua | Peru