Rellenitos (Guatemalan Dessert)

Ingredients

• 3 yellow plantains (cut into chunks with peels on)
• 1 cup cooked black beans
• 0.25 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 0.75 tsp cinnamon
• 3 tsp sugar (plus extra for sprinkling)
• bread crumbs (for coating)
• cooking oil (for frying; plus 2 tsp for the beans)

Steps

1. 1

   Cut the yellow plantains into chunks, keeping their peels on.

2. 2

   Place the plantain chunks in a pot of water and boil for 15 minutes or until cooked through.

3. 3

   Remove the plantains from the pot and peel them while still warm. Place the peeled plantains into a food processor and process until they form a smooth purée.

4. 4

   Transfer the plantain purée into a mixing bowl and set aside.

5. 5

   Place 1 cup of cooked black beans into the food processor and process until smooth.

6. 6

   Heat 2 teaspoons of oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the processed beans and fry, stirring for a couple of minutes until the beans darken.

7. 7

   Add the cinnamon, 3 teaspoons of sugar, and chocolate chips to the beans. Continue stirring until the chocolate is melted and everything is properly mixed.

8. 8

   Take the plantain purée and form balls roughly the size of a golf ball. Press each ball into your palm until it flattens into a circle.

9. 9

   Place about a spoon and a half of the bean mixture into the middle of the plantain circle.

10. 10

    Fold the plantain over the filling so the beans are fully enclosed. Roll them in your hands until they are egg-shaped.

11. 11

    If using bread crumbs, lightly coat the rellenitos (though not explicitly detailed in the steps, bread crumbs are listed in ingredients).

12. 12

    Heat cooking oil in a pan and fry the rellenitos until they have browned on all sides.

13. 13

    Remove from the oil, sprinkle with additional sugar, and serve warm.

Notes

Rellenitos are a classic Guatemalan comfort food. The combination of savory black beans and sweet chocolate is a regional specialty. Ensure the plantain purée is smooth to prevent the balls from breaking while frying.

Nutrition per serving

• dessert
• vegan
• guatemalan
• fried
• plantains
• beans
• latin american
• sweet