Savor Puerto Rico's traditional flavors with Guineos en Escabeche.These pickled green bananas add a tangy twist to your meals.Learn to make this Caribbean dish!

Here's a recipe for Guineos en Escabeche, Puerto Rican pickled green bananas:

Ingredients:

  - 6-8 green bananas

  - 1 cup white vinegar

  - 1 cup water

  - 1 onion, thinly sliced

  - 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced

  - 2-3 garlic cloves, minced

  - 1 teaspoon salt

  - 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns

  - 1 bay leaf

  - 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions:

1- Peel the green bananas and cut them into 1-inch pieces. Place them in a bowl of cold water with a splash of vinegar to prevent browning.

2- In a saucepan, combine the white vinegar, water, salt, peppercorns, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes.

3- In a separate pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions, bell pepper, and garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are soft, about 5-7 minutes.

4- Drain the green bananas and add them to the pan with the vegetables. Pour the vinegar mixture over the bananas and vegetables.

5- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the bananas are tender but still firm.

6- Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature. Serve as a side dish with your favorite Puerto Rican dishes. Enjoy your Guineos en Escabeche!

Nutritional Values:

Here are the approximate nutritional values for the ingredients used in the Guineos en Escabeche recipe:

Green bananas (1 medium banana):

  - Calories: 100

  - Carbohydrates: 27g

  - Fiber: 3g

  - Protein: 1g

  - Fat: 0g

benefits: Rich in fiber, which aids digestion and promotes a feeling of fullness. They also contain vitamins C and B6, which are important for immune function and brain health.

White vinegar (1 cup):

  - Calories: 48

  - Carbohydrates: 0.9g

  - Protein: 0g

  - Fat: 0g

benefits: May help with blood sugar control and weight management. It also has antimicrobial properties that can help with food preservation.

Water (1 cup):

  - Calories: 0

  - Carbohydrates: 0g

  - Protein: 0g

  - Fat: 0g

benefits:

  - Hydration: Water is essential for maintaining the body's fluid balance, supporting hydration, and ensuring proper physiological functions.

  - Temperature Regulation: It helps regulate body temperature through sweating and respiration.

  - Detoxification: Water aids in flushing out toxins from the body through urine and sweat.

  - Digestion: Drinking water helps with digestion by breaking down food and aiding in nutrient absorption.

Onion (1 medium onion):

  - Calories: 44

  - Carbohydrates: 10g

  - Fiber: 2g

  - Protein: 1g

  - Fat: 0g

benefits: Contains antioxidants and compounds that may help reduce inflammation, improve heart health, and support immune function.

Bell pepper (1 medium pepper):

  - Calories: 25

  - Carbohydrates: 6g

  - Fiber: 2g

  - Protein: 1g

  - Fat: 0g

benefits: A good source of vitamin C, which is important for skin health and immune function. Bell peppers also contain antioxidants that may help protect against certain chronic diseases.

Garlic (1 clove):

  - Calories: 4

  - Carbohydrates: 1g

  - Protein: 0g

  - Fat: 0g

benefits: Has antibacterial and antiviral properties, and may help lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure. It also contains antioxidants that can help protect against cell damage.

Salt (1 teaspoon):

  - Calories: 0

  - Carbohydrates: 0g

  - Protein: 0g

  - Fat: 0g

benefits:

  - Electrolyte Balance: Salt provides sodium, which is crucial for maintaining electrolyte balance and proper muscle function.

  - Nerve Function: Sodium in salt supports nerve signal transmission and muscle contractions.

  - Flavor Enhancement: Salt enhances the flavor of food, making meals more enjoyable and satisfying.

Black peppercorns (1/2 teaspoon):

  - Calories: 3

  - Carbohydrates: 0.7g

  - Protein: 0.1g

  - Fat: 0.1g

benefits:

  - Digestive Health: Black pepper stimulates the production of digestive enzymes, improving digestion and reducing bloating.

  - Antioxidant Properties: It contains piperine, an antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.

  - Anti-Inflammatory Effects: Piperine also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation in the body.

Bay leaf (1 leaf):

  - Calories: 5

  - Carbohydrates: 1.3g

  - Fiber: 0.8g

  - Protein: 0.1g

  - Fat: 0.1g

benefits:

  - Digestive Aid: Bay leaves can help relieve indigestion and bloating by promoting healthy digestion.

  - Anti-Inflammatory: They contain compounds that have anti-inflammatory effects, which may help reduce symptoms of inflammation.

  - Aromatherapy: The aroma of bay leaves can have a calming effect, reducing stress and anxiety when used in cooking or as part of aromatherapy.

Olive oil (2 tablespoons):

  - Calories: 239

  - Carbohydrates: 0g

  - Protein: 0g

  - Fat: 27g

benefits:

  - Heart Health: Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats, which are known to reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) levels.

  - Antioxidant-Rich: It contains powerful antioxidants, including vitamin E, that protect cells from oxidative damage.

  - Anti-Inflammatory: The oleic acid in olive oil has strong anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce chronic inflammation.

  - Skin Health: Olive oil is beneficial for skin hydration and elasticity, promoting healthy and glowing skin when consumed regularly.

Please note that these values are approximate and can vary based on factors such as the specific brands of ingredients used and the method of preparation.