Papas rellenas are a popular Colombian food that we eat for breakfast or as a snack. You can serve them hot or cold and they are delicious with ají sauce. Colombians have different versions of this recipe. I called my aunt in Florida to get my grandmother’s recipe for this one. Some people add cooked egg and rice to the meat filling. I have included a vegetarian version too.
Ingredients
(10 stuffed potatoes)
Vegetable oil for frying
5 medium potatoes
¼ teaspoon salt
Meat Filling
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup chopped tomato
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup chopped scallions
1 garlic clove, minced
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon sazon Goya with azafran
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground pepper
½ pound ground beef
Vegetable Filling
Use the same ingredients in the meat filling except the beef and add 1 cup frozen carrots and peas.
Batter
1 egg
¼ cup all-purpose flour
Pinch salt
½ tablespoon sazon Goya with azafran
¼ cup milk
Directions
1. Peel the potatoes and cut them into chunks, put them in a medium pot and cover with water and ¼ teaspoon of salt.
2. Bring the potatoes to a boil over medium high heat, then reduce the heat to medium and cook until fork tender about 20 minutes.
3. Drain the potatoes and mash with a fork or masher and set aside.
4. Prepare the filling, in a large sauce pan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat and add the onion, tomato, scallions, garlic, cumin, azafran, pepper and salt. Cook for 5 minutes or until the onions are translucent, add the beef and cook stirring occasionally about 10 – 15 minutes. Set aside to cool.
5. In a medium bowl place all the batter ingredients and whisk until smooth and set aside.
6. Divide the potato mash into 10 equal sized portions, about 1/3 cup each, and form each portion into a ball by rolling between the palms of your hands. Flatten into patties and place 1 ½ tablespoons of the filling in the center of each one. Shape the potato mixture with the filling into balls to enclose the filling completely.
7. Fill a large heavy pot with vegetable oil and heat over medium-high heat to 360° F.
8. Dip the stuffed potato into the batter and carefully place them in the hot oil and fry for about 4 minutes or until golden, turning over halfway through. Remove the potatoes from the oil using a slotted spoon and drain in a plate with paper towels. Transfer to a serving plate and serve with Ají.
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Karen
on Jun 9th, 2009
@ 1:08 PM:
These look delicious. I’m not big on frying, but I suppose these could be done successfully in the oven, too. New to your blog and am loving all of the dishes!
Nancy
on Jun 9th, 2009
@ 6:46 PM:
Your recipes are great and the photos of them are fabulous!
Joy
on Jun 10th, 2009
@ 5:22 AM:
This is wonderful, but what is sazon goya? Is it just saffron?
Erica
on Jun 10th, 2009
@ 7:20 AM:
Hi Joy,
Is a dry seasoning containing garlic powder, cumin, Mexican saffron.
Sweet Kitchen
on Jun 10th, 2009
@ 7:40 AM:
These are mouth-watering! They are very similar to the Italian crochette di patate, which I adore.
Natasha - 5 Star Foodie
on Jun 10th, 2009
@ 4:36 PM:
Wow, my daughter would devour those adorable stuffed potatoes in seconds, and we also would really love them too. Bookmarking for sure!
Soma
on Jun 10th, 2009
@ 9:43 PM:
Wow Stuffed.. i am in.. & i really do not mind deep frying once in a while. the things supposed to be deep fried somehow do not taste as good to be baked. one great recipe.
Erica
on Jun 11th, 2009
@ 9:01 AM:
Thank you all for the comments!
Soma,
I agree with you, I don’t mind fried food once in a while.If you are on a diet, this is one of the best reasons to break it.
nora@ffr
on Jun 11th, 2009
@ 11:12 PM:
the vegetarian version of filling sound great.. m gonna try this out soon as having fried food once in a while not a prob eh?? hehe
cheers!!
Anna
on Jun 14th, 2009
@ 10:51 AM:
Hi Erica, this potatoes looks delicious, do you think I could bake then in the oven? Maybe coat then with “panko” bread crumbs?
Erica
on Jun 15th, 2009
@ 7:57 AM:
Anna,
This is the traditional way to cook papa rellena in Colombia, but will be great to try baking them coated with panko bread crumbs!
Kim
on Jun 22nd, 2009
@ 9:23 PM:
What could be better than this? They look so good and addictive : )
You have so many great recipes!!
Danielle
on Jul 9th, 2009
@ 5:40 PM:
I just wanted to stop by, take a look at your blog…(very nice
) and say thank you for following me.
I’ve had something very similiar to this at a cuban deli / bakery near my house…YUM!! I just might have to try this out.
Melly.
on Feb 9th, 2010
@ 9:18 AM:
Erica, Gracias por la receta. Le hice estas papitas a mi esposo el domingo y quedo encantado. No cocino mucha comida colombiana porque afortunadamente tengo a mi mama cerca y ella cocina delicioso. Pero con tus recetas y tus explicaciones, suele ser un poco mas facil!!! Gracias =)
Erica
on Feb 9th, 2010
@ 9:36 AM:
Melly- Gracias por tu comentario! Me alegra que les gusto la receta