Easy Caribbean Alcapurrias

Make the Masa

1. Gather the ingredients.

2. Peel the green bananas and peel and wash the yautías.

3. Place both in a bowl of cold salted water.

4. Remove the bananas and yautías from the water and grate them into a medium bowl. To make it easier, you can also use a food processor.

5. Add salt and mix well. Set aside.

Make the Filling

1. Gather the ingredients.

2. In a deep pot or frying pan, brown the ground beef. Drain off the fat.

3. Add sofrito, alcaparrado mix, salt, and pepper, to taste. Cook uncovered for 5 minutes.

4. Remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes.

Fry the Alcapurrias

1. On a piece of wax paper, spread out 1 to 2 tablespoons of the masa mixture and make a shallow well in the center. You can also use the palm of your hand instead of wax paper.

2. Put 1 to 2 teaspoons of the filling into the well.

3. Cover it with a little more masa mix.

4. Use the back of a spoon to smooth the masa all around the filling so no meat is showing. You can freeze the alcapurrias at this point if you would like to fry and eat them later.

5. In a fryer or deep frying pan, heat enough oil to cover the alcapurrias when frying. The oil should be heated to about 360 F.

6. Add the alcapurrias, being careful not to splash the oil or crowd the fryer.

7. Fry until crispy and golden, from 5 to 7 minutes.

8. Drain the alcapurrias on paper towels. Allow to cool a bit before eating.