Vegetarian Loaded Patacones. Esta receta también está disponible en Español.
This recipe for vegetarian loaded patacones elevates the regular patacon to a complete meal. But first things first. What are they? Patacones, also called tostones, are twice-fried pieces of green plantain. Generally eaten as a side-dish or as an appetizer, they come just as they are or with a tomato sauce called hogao. In some cases you see them as well with beef. But generally they are eaten with little additions.
You can however easily transform them into a main meal. I must say I have particularly warm feelings for this dish, because it was the first meal my boyfriend and I cooked together. Back then we didn’t live in Colombia, and he wanted to teach me some Colombian recipes. That night we were going to a reggaeton concert and so it seemed the perfect night to get into the latin vibe. He brought homemade hogao and together we made the patacones. He brought beef for himself, so I decided to open up a can of beans to add some protein. We added guacamole and cheese, and there they were. The first version of vegetarian loaded patacones.
How to make vegetarian loaded patacones:
To make these loaded patacones, you will need:
- 1 basic recipe for patacones
- 1 batch of hogao
- Cooked frijoles (Colombian beans) or use canned beans (black, kidney, pinto)
- Guacamole or smashed avocado
- Shredded mozarella
I especially like to make these loaded patacones when I have leftover beans. If I don’t have those, but I still crave this fried treat, I use canned beans. Omit cheese or use plant-based cheese for a vegan version.
They are a festive complete meal for two people, or can be eaten as an appetizer for 4-6 people. They pair perfectly with some reggaeton and a cold beer 🙂
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Vegetarian Loaded Patacones
Ingredients
- 1 recipe for patacones, see link in text
- 1 recipe for hogao, see link in text
- frijoles (Colombian beans), OR replace by can a beans (pinto, kidney or pinto)
- 1/2 chopped tomato (only when using canned beans)
- salt and pepper
- shredded mozarella cheese omit or use plant-based cheese for a vegan version
Guacamole
- 1 big avocado, smashed
- 1/2 tomato, chopped finely
- 1 small onion, chopped finely
- 1 juice of 1 lime
- some fresh cilantro, chopped finely
Instructions
- Make the patacones according to the instruction (link above in text)
- Make hogao according to instructions (link above in text)
- Warm up the beans of your choice in a pan. Add half of the tomato, chopped finely. Season with salt and pepper.
- Prepare guacamole by mixing together all the ingredients. Season with salt and pepper
- Load up the patacones, by adding a layer of hogao, beans and guacamole to each patacon. Sprinkle with mozarella cheese
- Serve when hot. Eat them all at once, when loaded they don't keep well. The hogao, beans and guacamole can be kept in closed containers in the fridge.
Nice ! I was told patacones were a side dish or a snack, never thought could be a full meal. Thanks will definitely try them soon.
Great! Let me know how they turned out 🙂