I just got back from vacation in Puerto Rico. It was glorious! Clear blue skies (minus a few scattered mometns of rain) and temperatures in the 80's every day surrounded by four generations of family, for which I am grateful.
The food however, was not one of the items highest on my list for gratitude. It was fine, passable, but my favorite meals came from, of all places, a food truck! The truck was called El Kono and they served fresh Puerto Rican street food - in plantain cones! Let me tell you...this was some tasty, savory, flavorful goodness!
While there were 5 or 6 non-vegan varieties - pork, shrimp, crab salad, skirt steak, etc. the vegan one was so good that I had it for lunch three days in a row.
We got home late Saturday night and Sunday I went to the store. I bought all of the ingredients, minus the red onion, and while I had no interest in buying a deep frier and smashing plantains (not so native to NY,) I did buy plantain chips.
I combined one can each of black, kidney and garbanzo beans. I added a handful of chopped cilantro, a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, the juice of two limes, and one diced ripe avocado. I let that marinate overnight. At lunch today I added some crushed plantain chips and voila! A slightly healthier, just as delicious and protein-packed meal.
Trust me, if you want a taste of the Caribbean, can't quite get there today, and want something tasty, healthy and filling, this is a dish you need to try,
