Bolón de Verde (Green Plantain Fritters) are a delicious fried treat filled with cheese, chorizo or chicharron (pork cracklings). Perfect for breakfast, lunch or appetizer.
Bolón de Verde (Green Plantain Fritter) is a sort of green plantain fried dumpling filled with either cheese, chorizo or chicharron (pork cracklings).
So if you like or love plantains like I do then you will really like this delicious Ecuadorian dish.
Simple and easy to make and absolutely yummy!
Bolón de Verde Facts
*The word “Bolón” is a slang term for large ball and “verde” means green, hence large green ball.
*In English calling these Green Plantain Fried Dumpling or Green Plantain Fritters sounds slightly more appropriate and describes a little better how these bolónes are normally finished. Yes fried to yummy crispy perfection!
*Normally a bolón is the size of about a tennis ball. However, I have made these bolónes the size of golf balls.
*In South America a bolón is normally eaten for breakfast with fried eggs, tomato slices or avocado.
*Ecuadorians also enjoy bolónes for lunch, snack and even as an appetizer.
*You will also find a bolón filled with both chicharrón and cheese. YUM!
*In Puerto Rico we also have a very similar dish known as “Bolitas de Mofongo” and is prepared much in the same way.
Bolón de Verde Ingredients
- Green plantains
- Butter or lard
- Salt
- Oil for frying
Filling for a Bolón
Pick one filling or a mixed combination of cheese and chicharrón
- Cheese (normally a hard cheese, however I used monterey pepper jack cheese)
- Chorizo
- Chicharrón
How to Peel Plantains for the Bolón de Verde
Start with Green plantains.
Begin with cutting the ends off of plantains. Using a knife score the plantain lengthwise, careful not to cut into the flesh.
Using the tip of your thumb or the tip of the knife, gently pry the skin to lift the skin a little. Then slip your thumb under skin to start peeling skin off.
Once skin is peeled off the plantains, slice into ½ inch slices.
How to Make Bolón de Verde
After plantains are peeled and sliced, heat a skillet with about an inch of oil deep over medium heat.
After the oil is hot, add the slices and cook on each side for a few minutes until lightly golden brown.
Drain on paper towels.
In a bowl mash the plantain slices with a wood masher, pestle or a potato masher to form a dough like consistency. Add butter and mix well into plantain dough.
Form 2 inch plantain balls.
Cut the cheese into ½ – 1 inch cubes.
Holding the plantain ball in your hand depress plantain ball in the center with your thumb to form a small cavity. Add cheese to center.
Carefully cover the cheese with the plantain dough and reshape into a ball. Now the bolónes are ready to fry.
Heat the skillet used to fry plantain slices and fry bolónes on each side until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle salt over bolónes.
Serve bolón de verde with garlic aioli or by itself. Done!
Enjoy!
Looks and tastes so yummy good! The cheese is just perfect in a bolón. Creamy delicious gooey cheese!
For more delicious plantain recipes, you may also like these:
Pastelón (Puerto Rican Plantain “Lasagna”)
Tilapia Ceviche (served with plantain chips)
📖 Recipe
Bolón de Verde (Green Plantain Fritters)
Ingredients
- 4 green plantains peeled and cut into slices
- 2-4 tablespoon butter
- salt to taste
- oil for frying
Garlic Aioli
- 2 garlic cloves peeled
- ⅛ cup oil
Bolón Filling
- 8 ounces monterey pepper jack cheese cut into ½-1 inch cubes, could also use queso fresco or any other hard cheese
Alternatives for Fillings
- chorizo
- chicharrón
Instructions
Garlic Aioli
- Put oil and garlic in a chopper and blend for a few seconds until garlic and oil are combined.
Preparing Plantains for Bolón de Verde
- Begin with cutting the ends off of plantains. Using a knife score the plantain lengthwise, careful not to cut into the flesh.Using the tip of your thumb or the tip of the knife, gently pry the skin to lift the skin a little. Then slip your thumb under skin to peel skin off completely.
- Once skin is peeled off all the plantains, slice into ½ inch slices.
- Heat a skillet with about an inch of oil deep over medium heat.After the oil is hot, add the slices and cook on each side for a few minutes until lightly golden brown.
Drain on paper towels. - In a bowl mash the plantain slices with a wood masher, pestle or a potato masher to form a dough like consistency. Add butter and mix well into plantain dough.
Forming and Frying Plantain Balls
- Form 2 inch plantain balls.
- Cut the cheese into ½ – 1 inch cubes.
- Holding the plantain ball in your hand depress plantain ball in the center with your thumb to form a small cavity. Add cheese to center.
- Carefully cover the cheese with the plantain dough and reshape into a ball. Now the bolónes are ready to fry.
- Heat the skillet used to fry plantain slices and fry bolónes on each side until golden brown.
Drain on paper towels and sprinkle salt over bolónes.
Jillian says
These look amazing!! I’m glad I have a party coming up to give these a shot!!
Cathy says
Wonderful!! Perfect for a party! We make these as an appetizer for our gatherings. I hope you love them as much as we do!!
Jayashree says
I have used raw plantain in some recipes but this is new to me. Looks so delish and makes a tasty snack.
Cathy says
Jayashree, you must give these a try then! 🙂
Kelly Anthony says
Thank you for your step by step instructions and pictures of the how to cut a plantain. I’ve only cut a plantain once and I struggled and wish I had seen this before then.
Cathy says
So glad I was able to help Kelly! 🙂
Sabrina says
I”m usually game for anything fried and these look especially amazing! Wow!
Cathy says
Thx Sabrina! These are sooo good, let me know if you give these a try!