If you’re looking for a new appetizer to spice up your game day spread, look no further than Nicaraguan appetizers. From crispy tostones to sweet plantains, these recipes are sure to please everyone at your party. So pull up a chair and get ready to dig in!
Related Content:
[lwptoc]
The Best Nicaraguan Appetizers
Tostones con Queso
If you’ve never had plantains, then you’re missing out. This is a delicious culinary experience.
Ingredients:
-2 green plantains, sliced into thick rounds
-1/2 cup of cooking oil
-1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
-Salt to taste
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a large frying pan, heat the oil over medium heat.
3. Add the plantain rounds to the pan and cook for about two minutes per side, or until golden brown.
4. Remove the tostones from the pan and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Top each tostone with a bit of shredded cheese and a sprinkle of salt.
6. Bake in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Maduros con Queso
As you’re finding out, the Nicaraguans love their plantains. And who can blame them? This is another delicious recipe featuring them.
Ingredients:
-2 ripe plantains, sliced into thick rounds
-1/2 cup of cooking oil
-1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
-Salt to taste
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a large frying pan, heat the oil over medium heat.
3. Add the plantain rounds to the pan and cook for about two minutes per side, or until golden brown.
4. Remove the maduros from the pan and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
5. Top each maduro with a bit of shredded cheese and a sprinkle of salt.
6. Bake in the oven for about 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Ceviche de Pescado
Okay if you’re not into plantains this one is safe. You’ve possibly had ceviche before and here is the Nicaraguan twist on it.
Ingredients:
-1 pound of fresh fish, diced into small cubes
-1/2 cup of freshly squeezed lime juice
-1/2 cup of diced onion
-1/2 cup of diced celery
-1 roasted red pepper, diced
-1 tablespoon of chopped cilantro
-Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients and mix well.
2. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours, or overnight.
3. When you’re ready to serve, give the ceviche a good stir and season with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
4. Serve chilled, with crackers or tortilla chips on the side. Enjoy!
Chancho en Piedra
This is a unique pork shoulder recipe. This isn’t your mother’s pork shoulder crock pot recipe, but despite that you’ll love it.
Ingredients:
-1 pound of pork shoulder, diced into small cubes
-1/2 cup of white vinegar
-1/2 cup of water
-1/4 cup of diced onion
-1 roasted red pepper, diced
-1 tablespoon of chopped cilantro
-Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the pork cubes, vinegar, water, onion, and roasted red pepper.
2. Season with salt and pepper, then bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
3. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about two hours, or until the pork is cooked through.
4. When the pork is cooked, remove it from the pot with a slotted spoon and place it in a serving dish.
5. To the pot of cooking liquid, add the cilantro and stir well.
6. Season with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
7. Pour the sauce over the cooked pork and serve immediately. Enjoy!
Pupusas de Queso
A nice simple recipe. If you’re unsure of what masa harina is, it’s corn that is more finely ground than cornmeal and used for tortillas and tamales. It should be easily found in a Latin section of your nearest grocery store. Or you can just grind your cornmeal even finer if that’s an option.
Ingredients:
-2 cups of masa harina
-1 cup of warm water
-1/2 teaspoon of salt
-1/2 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions:
1. In a large bowl, combine the masa harina, water, and salt. Mix well until a soft dough forms.
2. Divide the dough into eight equal portions.
3. On a lightly floured surface, flatten each portion of dough into a thin disc.
4. Place a bit of cheese in the center of each disc and fold the dough over to enclose the filling.
5. Press the edges of the dough together to seal in the cheese.
6. In a large skillet, heat a bit of oil over medium heat.
7. Add the pupusas to the skillet and cook for about three minutes per side, or until golden brown.
8. Serve immediately with salsa or sour cream on the side. Enjoy!
Conclusion
In closing, I hope you found these recipes appetizing and are eager to try them! As I said before, Nicaraguan food is underrepresented and deserves to be better known. With its variety of flavors and ingredients, there is something for everyone to enjoy. So go ahead and give these recipes a try, you won’t be disappointed! Thanks for reading!
