Cayeye and Cabeza de Gato (Colombian Mashed Green Plantain)
Ingredients
- 4 green plantains peeled and cut into pieces
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon of oil
- 1 cup onion finely chopped
- 2 scallions finely chopped
- 2 to matoes diced
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- ½ teaspoon ground achiote
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Avocado to serve
- Grated cheese to serve
- Fried or scrambled eggs to serve
Instructions
- Cook the green bananas or green plantains until tender. Strain and mash.
- In a medium skillet over medium heat place the butter, onion, tomatoes, red bell pepper, garlic and achiote. Cook the mixture for about 7 minutes, and then add to the mashed plantains and set aside.
- To serve, place some cayeye on a plate and top with fried egg, shredded cheese and diced avocado.
Cayeye, also called Mote de Guineo, is a traditional Colombian dish from the Caribbean Coast of the country. Cayeye is made by cooking small green bananas (guineos) in water, then mashing and mixing them with refrito, made with onions, garlic, red bell pepper, tomato and achiote.
Cabeza de Gato is the same dish as Cayeye, but instead of using small green bananas (guineos), regular green plantains are used instead. In case you were wondering, Cabeza de Gato literally translates as "Cat's Head", but don't worry, there's no cat in the dish and I have no idea why the dish has such a name! 🙂
Cayeye and Cabeza de Gato are usually served for breakfast with fresh grated Colombian cheese (Queso Costeño) and fried fish, shrimp, crab, or beef. I personally like to serve my Cayeye with fresh cheese, avocado and fried egg on top.
There are different variations of this dish in Latin America. In Cuba Cayeye is called Fufu de Plátano, in Puerto Rico it's called Mofongo and in the Dominican Republic, Mangú, to name a few.
Buen provecho!
Evelyne@cheapethniceatz
This looks so amazing, a breakfast of champions. Love the added tomatoes for the flavor.
Joan Nova
Looks delicious and the egg on top is perfect!
Belinda @zomppa
Now that is a great breakfast!!
Eva
I was just in Santa Marta and was wondering how this was made! Thanks for posting the recipe!
grace
what a great meal! i'm always attracted to dishes topped with fried eggs, but this would be great even without that component!
Juliana
I never had anything like this Erica...so interesting! I like the egg on top of this mash.
Hope you are having a great week!
Norma-Platanos, Mangoes and Me!
I am doing egg dishes today for a post and I wish I had some green plantains in the house….will keep this in mind….
Maxie
I am trying out a slightly different version of this (due to lack of ingredients but it sounds amazing and I simply am excited and anxious for it to be done all ready. Thanks so kuch for the recipie
confused
In line 1, you say to "cook" the green plantain, but do not say how. Boil, deep fry, bake? Please specify, thanks, I'd like to try this.
Erica Dinho
Boil them.
Todd
i have eaten this many times in Santa Marta Colombia, it is so Amazingly good.
Lindy
I am keen to try the recipe, just wondering if any green bananas will do? We have cavendish, sugar bananas, ducca available here. Plantain occasionally - the big fat variety (4-5cm diameter)?
Thanks for the recipe!
Erica Dinho
Different taste and texture.