White Rice with Cuban Style Black Beans and Sweet Plantains [Arroz con Frijoles Negros y Platanos]

black beans

🥗Healthier: lentils

💰Cheaper: pinto beans

Lentils are lower in calories and cook faster.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Canola oil is less expensive and has a neutral flavor.

Start with a small pot on high heat.

Add two pieces of salted pork to the hot pot.

Pour in a little bit of olive oil and let it heat for a few seconds.

Add onions, oregano, and cilantro to the pot and stir.

Lower the heat to medium and add garlic, letting it simmer for a few seconds.

Add the tomatoes to the pot and stir.

Add a little bit of ground cumin and stir again.

Add olives and stir to combine.

Add the squash or pumpkin and potato to the pot and stir.

Add the canned black beans and stir everything together.

Cut bay leaf in half and add to the mixture.

Add water to the pot based on desired thickness of the dish.

Pre-soften potatoes by boiling them in water for 5 minutes before adding to the pot.

Taste the mixture and add salt to preference, avoiding adobo seasoning.

Let the mixture cook on medium heat until the beans are done, about 1-2 minutes.

Add a cup of chopped cilantro to the pot when the beans are almost done, about a minute before finishing.

Turn the heat down to low and let it cook for another 2 minutes.

Prepare rice by measuring 1 cup of rice and 1.33 cups of water.

Add a tiny bit of olive oil to the water for the rice and heat on high.

Let the water heat for about a minute before adding rice.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary