Tacacho, waking up to the Amazon

Originally from the Amazon jungle, tacacho is a dish to be enjoyed early in the morning, as breakfast. Natives grill or boil the plantains, and after peeling them, they’re mashed in a big wooden mortar, adding salt, small pieces of pork rind, and lard. The texture should be firm enough to form a ball with your hands, the size of a baseball.Then it´s ready to go.

Tacacho is served alongside cecina (salted and dried meat), chorizo, and regional vegetables. The tasty and basic appetizer is served with whatever is at hand: tomatoes, onions, fried fish, or simply with salt or sugar. As I said before, breakfast is the perfect time for tacacho, accompanied by a cup of lemongrass tea.

I´ve had the Ecuadorian version of tacacho, called bolón de verde, many years ago in Guayaquil. Flavor and texture are very similar, and I enjoyed it with a big cup of milky coffee. In Lima, I had the tasting plate at Pura Selva restaurant, which includes juane, and some other Amazonian delights. If you’re in the mood for something new, exotic, and easy to make, why not try this? Amazonians are famous for being passionate, happy people, so maybe it’s a good idea to eat what they eat!

 


Comments

  1. Wow, I’d never heard of tacacho! It looks like it is similar to mofongo but without all the garlic. Delicioso!

  2. Oh yum, another good discovery on your blog! Sounds delicious! I love plantains so I would like this dish, I am sure.

  3. It sounds like a great way to start the day.

  4. Mmm! se ven deliciosos esos tacachos!! Se parece mucho a nuestro mofongo hasta en su elaboración,… una amiga peruana me lo había comentado y la verdad que si son muy parecidos.

  5. Yum! I also like the fried bananas!

  6. My mother would love this. She’s a fan of all things platanos!

  7. Their diet is sexy and adventurous. And, if they stay happy, then yeah, their food has something to do with it. They say you are what you eat, no? 🙂

  8. Maybe the key to longevity is happiness plus good, simple, and hearty food!

  9. I like passionate, happy people…bring on the tacacho!! Are they good to make ahead? Seems like a lot of work for breakfast!

  10. Dixie Rae Starmer says:

    I have also discovered that if you use ripe plantains for your banana nut breads, it gives it a very smooth flavor. Very delicious. Gotta go, Breakfast soup is ready! Chow!

  11. Muy parecido a nuestro mofongo!!! No es costumbre comer mofongo en el desayuno, lo comemos en el almuerzo o en la cena.

  12. Peruvian Food is amazing!

  13. how much calories does this dish have?

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