Aborrajados

The story

Aborrajados is a Colombian starter with a clear sense of place. Aborrajados are strongly associated with Colombia’s Valle del Cauca, where ripe plantain and fresh cheese meet in a sweet-savoury fritter that can be served as snack, side or starter. The recipe below keeps the defining ingredients and technique intact while giving practical metric quantities and enough detail for a home cook to judge texture, seasoning and doneness rather than simply follow a timer.

Ingredients

• 2 piece very ripe plantainsskins heavily black-speckled
• 180 g mozzarella or queso costeñocut into batons
• 90 g plain flour
• 1 piece egg
• 100 ml milk
• 10 g caster sugar
• 1 pinch fine salt
• 700 ml neutral frying oil

Method

1. Peel the ripe plantains and cut each

   Peel the ripe plantains and cut each into three thick pieces. Fry at 165°C for 4–5 minutes until soft and caramel-gold, then drain and cool just enough to handle.

   Look for: soft and caramel-gold, then drain and cool just enough to handle Tip: Use truly ripe plantain with heavily spotted or blackened skin. The fruit should smell sweet before cooking. Avoid: Plantain that is merely yellow is not sweet or soft enough; loose sealing lets cheese escape; very hot oil browns batter before the centre warms.

2. Flatten each fried plantain piece gently into

   Flatten each fried plantain piece gently into an oval. Place a cheese baton in the centre and fold the plantain around it, pressing the edges so the cheese is enclosed.

3. Whisk flour, egg, milk, sugar and salt

   Whisk flour, egg, milk, sugar and salt into a smooth batter slightly thicker than double cream. Rest 5 minutes while the oil reheats.

4. Dip each stuffed plantain completely in batter,

   Dip each stuffed plantain completely in batter, letting excess drip back into the bowl.

5. Fry at 175°C for 2–3 minutes, turning

   Fry at 175°C for 2–3 minutes, turning once, until the batter is puffed and golden and the cheese inside has softened.

   Look for: the batter is puffed and golden and the cheese inside has softened

6. Drain briefly on a rack and serve

   Drain briefly on a rack and serve warm, before the cheese firms but after the molten centre has cooled enough to eat safely.

   Look for: The outer batter is golden, plantain is completely soft and cheese pulls when the fritter is opened.

Nutrition

per serving

Estimated from the listed ingredients and default serving size. Actual values vary with brands, trimming, absorption and cooking losses.