Puerto Rico / Main
Turkey with Plantain Stuffing (Pavo Relleno de Mofongo)
This recipe for pavo relleno de mofongo was submitted by Brenda Ortiz Valle, who said the following:"This recipe is my mom's, Aida E Valle, special Turkey recipe. The best I have tasted in my life!!"
Ingredients
- plantain, medium to large, green3
- canola oil2 cup
- tomato, large, diced1
- red pepper, cut into 1/2-inch squares1
- green pepper, cut into 1/2-inch squares1
- garlic, minced2 clove
- olive oil1/4 cup
- adobo2 tbsp
- olive oil1/2 cup
- red wine vinegar1/4 cup
- adobo2 tbsp
- oregano2 tbsp
- salt1 tbsp
- pepper, ground1 tbsp
- chicken stock cube, ground cubitos; Cubitos en polvo2 package
- sazon, uncolored; sazon sin achiote; Goya is a typical brand2 package
- garlic, large, minced4 clove
- turkey, whole; 15 lbs1
Quantities are auto-calculated from the original recipe as a guide. Items without numbers (e.g. “to taste”) are not changed.
Method 14 steps
Peel plantains and slice into 1-inch chunks.
Add 2 cups canola oil to a medium-size frying pan. Set stove to medium-high and heat the frying pan for about 5 minutes.
Add plantains and fry until they are golden brown. Drain them on paper towels or brown paper bags.
Squash plantains one-by-one using a mortar, and place into a medium size bowl.
Add, tomato, red and green pepper, garlic, olive oil, and adobo to the bowl containing the squashed plantains, then mix.
In a small bowl mix olive oil, red wine vinegar, adobo, oregano, salt, ground pepper, "cubitos", "sazon", and garlic.
With a sharp knife, make incisions in different places of the turkey.
Use seasoning mixture to season whole turkey, inside and out. If you need more seasoning mix, repeat first step.
Cover turkey with aluminum foil and refrigerate until it absorbs the seasoning, at least 2–4 hours, preferably overnight.
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Fill turkey with plantain filling. Cover, the turkey filling opening with kitchen thread.
Cover turkey with aluminum foil and place turkey in preheated oven.
Leave turkey within the first 2 hours without removing aluminum foil. After 2 hours, remove aluminum foil and turn in ½ hour intervals for two hours. Use the turkey drippings to moist turkey while cooking.
Set oven to broil for 20 minutes each side.