• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
My Big Fat Cuban Family

My Big Fat Cuban Family

Cuban recipes, family, heritage, and culture.

  • Meet Marta
    • Media Mentions
  • Lifestyle
    • Cuban-American Life
    • My Big, Fat, Cuban Family
  • Entertainment
    • Disney
    • Marvel
    • Television
    • Concerts
    • Books
    • Theatre
  • Celebrate
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Cuban Christmas
    • Mother’s Day
    • Movie Nights
    • Summer Nights
  • Recipes
    • Cuban Recipes With Pictures
    • Family Favorites
    • My Cook Book
  • Shop
    • Cuban Foods Poster
    • Cuban T-Shirts
    • Costa Rican Foods Poster
    • Honduran Foods Poster
    • Puerto Rican Foods Poster
    • Salvadoran Foods Poster
    • Scottish Foods Poster
    • Customize Your Own
    • Cuban Goodies In Your Mailbox
  • Contact
    • Advertise
  • Archives

Fufú Recipe

July 27, 2016 By Marta Darby

“Ju got some ‘splaining to do..” from Marta’s Cuban American Kitchen

It seems to me that being Cuban has always meant explaining things. Maybe it’s just living in Southern California where there are just pockets of Cuban communities, but the majority of the Hispanic population is Mexican.
I confess the questions sometimes sound ignorant to me. And I find I have to work at being gracious when I answer.
Yes, we speak Spanish.
Yes, I do have blue eyes.
No, our food is not spicy, it is flavorful.
No, we haven’t returned to visit since we left.
No, we are not immigrants, we are refugees.
And then there is the lengthy explanation of our love affair with bananas. Ok, technically they are plantains, but if you say plantains, you most likely will have to explain that they are in the banana family, but that they are not as sweet, and that they need to be cooked.
And furthermore, there are the various ways to cook plantains. Usually this statement gets a kind of quizzical look of its own.
“Various ways to cook plantains?”
Sure. Cut them up, smash them and fry them to make tostones.
Ripen and fry them and you have maduros.
Slice them thinly and fry like chips and you’ve got mariquitas.
Cook and puree to make a thick soup.
Plantains in any form are the Cuban side dish of choice.
There is only one plantain dish that I never, ever try to explain.
“Just try it,” I say.
It is only after they are making the yummy sounds, that I tell them that we call it “Fufú.”
The garlicky goodness speaks for itself and they don’t usually ask for an explanation…
but they always ask for seconds. =D

Fufú
3 large plantains (not completely ripe – just a few flecks of black spots)
3 cups of chicken stock
¼ lb. Pork meat (a fat, boneless pork chop with the fat on it works great) – sliced into super small pieces
Water
Olive oil
5 cloves garlic, mashed
¼ cup yellow onion, diced into small pieces
About 4-5 tablespoons soft butter
Salt and pepper to taste
1 Lemon
I know there are a lot of steps, but don’t let that scare you. This is a pretty simple dish.
1) Cut the ends of the plantains (discard).
2) Score the plantain skin lengthwise – do not peel!
3) Slice the plantains into 2-inch rounds.
4) Place the plantains in the chicken stock in a large saucepan.
5) Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium low, and simmer until tender – about 30 to 40 minutes.

6) In a separate saucepan or small frying pan, place the pork and just cover with water.
7) Bring that to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer until the water is gone.
8) Add a bit of olive oil to the cooked pork and fry until they are brown and tender.
9) Remove from the pan and set aside.
10) Sauté the garlic and green onions in olive oil or if there’s enough fat in the pan, just use that.
11) Return pork to the pan.
12) The plantains should be fully cooked by now, remove them from the broth (be sure to save that broth) and remove the peels (they should fall right off).
13) Mash the plantains with a hand masher using a little bit of broth. You are going for the consistency of thick mashed potatoes. Don’t try to get all the lumps out. We like the lumps!
14) Add the softened butter and mash it into the plantains.

15) Add the mashed plantain to the fried pork, onions and garlic, stirring constantly over low heat.

16) Add salt and pepper to taste and generously squeeze the lemon over the whole thing before serving.
17) Serve it hot!

You might also like:

Arroz Frito con Lechon RecipeArroz Frito con Lechon Recipe Ajiaco in Slow Cooker RecipeAjiaco in Slow Cooker Recipe Platanos en Tentacion RecipePlatanos en Tentacion Recipe Bacon wrapped plantains recipeBacon-Wrapped Plantains Recipe

Filed Under: Cuban Recipes With Pictures

Previous Post: « Pastelitos de Guayaba Recipe (Guava Pastry)
Next Post: Churros Recipe »

Primary Sidebar

TRY SUPER SMOOTH CAFE LA LLAVE ESPRESSO

Cafe La Llave espresso coffee pods

My Cuban T-Shirt Designs

“Cuban T-Shirts

Subscribe to MBFCF Newsletter!

Never miss a post! Sign up with your email address to receive recipes, news and updates right in your inbox!

Cuban Foods Poster

“Cuba

Cuban Coffee Poster

“Cuba

Cuban Desserts Poster

“Cuba poster - Cuban desserts subway art print

Most Recent Posts

  • Cafe La Llave Espresso Ice Cream
    September 12, 2023
  • Summer Café La Llave Basket Giveaway
    June 26, 2023
  • Cafe La Llave Espresso Coffee Coffee Cake
    June 9, 2023
  • Espresso Cupcakes with Espresso Frosting
    April 29, 2023
  • Hispanic Heritage Café La Llave Giveaway
    October 16, 2022

Cuban Recipes Cookbook

Cuban recipes with pictures cookbook from My Big Fat Cuban Family

Follow Me on Instagram

mybigfatcubanfamily

I love all things Cuban. I'm passionate about sharing stories, my family, food & recipes. I'm Marta. 💋🎉 @martadarby

My Big Fat Cuban Family Blog
I made some amazing espresso ice cream with the he I made some amazing espresso ice cream with the help of @cafelallave // smooth, creamy, and.it tastes like your first cafecito of the day. // Best thing you’ll taste all day. ☕️💚🗝️Buen Provecho! 🤩Please visit my blog for the whole delicious recipe. (Link in profile☝🏼)You’re welcome! 😉🇨🇺https://bit.ly/45QhRPN#espressoicecream #cafelallave #mybigfatcubanfamily
It goes without saying, because CUBAN.
🇨🇺🍮😉❤️#BeLikeMarta 🖖🏼😎#flanislife #itsacubanthing🇨🇺
Cafe La llave Espresso ice Cream Check my site for Cafe La llave Espresso ice Cream
Check my site for full recipe 🍨
(Link in profile ☝🏼)https://bit.ly/45QhRPN
My grandson Max will be 2 next week. I figured it My grandson Max will be 2 next week. I figured it was time. 🇨🇺☕️
Don’t judge me. It’s a Cuban thing. 😉(For those of you freaking out right now, it’s only milk. I know. Shut up.🥛😆)Full disclosure: my mom would give all of us kids espresso from time to time. The most explanation I ever got from her was, “Asi se usaba en Cuba.” 🤷🏼‍♀️Oh the Cubanity. 🙌🏼🇨🇺#cafelallave #cubancoffee
This chapel, called “La Ermita,” is dedicated This chapel, called “La Ermita,” is dedicated to La Virgen de La Caridad Del Cobre, and is located in Miami.
Part of the @peroletmetellyou Miami Tour, 😉
I was there to show my respects, but as I sat there praying, I was not prepared for the intense burden I felt over the suffering of our people.Today, September 8th, is her feast day.
Today, like every day, we pray for a free Cuba. 🇨🇺We familiarly and with great love call her Cachita. ❤️Please read my story on how she is honored in Cuban homes everywhere. 🙏🏼https://bit.ly/15bs9I4(☝🏼link in profile)Photo 📸: @peroletmetellyou“Nuestro día ya viene llegando.” ~ @willychirino#itsacubanthing🇨🇺 #cachita #laermitadelacaridad
Today’s PSA, some words to live by: “Toma choc Today’s PSA, some words to live by:
“Toma chocolate.
Paga lo que debes.”And this is where I randomly start to cha-cha around my kitchen.🎶💃🏻🕺🏼
Who is with me?!Oh, the Cubanity. 🇨🇺😉#itsacubanthing #elbodeguero
The world looks brighter and much more fun after I The world looks brighter and much more fun after I’ve had my cafecito. ☕️ @cafelallave 💚🗝️🇨🇺🎨 by @ericdarby88#cafelallave #cafecubano
National Cuban Sandwich Day - from the archives - National Cuban Sandwich Day - from the archives - How to Make the Perfect Cuban Sandwich. 🇨🇺🥖This is a day I’m happy to celebrate. 🙌🏼🥳❤️https://bit.ly/1J31P2yStory and recipe link in profile☝🏼
#cubansandwichday
#mybigfatcubanfamily
I’m willing to die on this hill. 🤭 Oh, the Cu I’m willing to die on this hill. 🤭
Oh, the Cubanity. 🇨🇺#belikemarta 🖖🏼😎
Am amazing afternoon with our friends. Thanks to Am amazing afternoon with our friends. Thanks to  @spaghettinisb #spaghettiniathome #spaghettinisb @melissasproduce
To celebrate the beginning of summer I’m giving To celebrate the beginning of summer I’m giving away a beautiful basket of delicious Cuban coffee goodness courtesy of my friends at @cafelallave .
☕️💚🗝️⭐️Please click on the link in my profile☝🏼https://bit.ly/3NP9DRpLeave a comment on that post to enter,  and answer all my curious Cuban Coffee questions.🎉It’s time to wake up and smell the Cuban coffee, people! 😉Oh, the Cubanity!🇨🇺#cafelallave☕️ #cubancoffee #giveaway #coffeebasket
My Papi had the blessed gift of storytelling. 📖 My Papi had the blessed gift of storytelling. 📖
This photo was taken on the roof of our Miami home, from where he convinced us we could see Havana. 🇨🇺 👀Please visit my blog for the entire story. (Link in profile☝🏼)Happy Father’s Day to all.
I miss mine every day. 🥰https://bit.ly/44749Xn#mybigfatcubanfamily #happyfathersday
I made a delicious, mouth-wateringly tempting Coff I made a delicious, mouth-wateringly tempting Coffee Coffee Cake. I KNOW! 😱
I used my fave @cafelallave to make this miracle happen and the outcome was amazing.Click the link in my profile for the recipe and a cute little anecdote where I may or may not have given the toddler a higher than usual dose of caffeine. 🤫
It was sooo Cuban.
😂🇨🇺☕️💚🗝️
Thanks @cafelallave for helping the relajo to get so crazy at our house. 🤭https://bit.ly/3oXfxWVOh, the Cubanity!
#belikemarta 🖖🏼😎#cafelallave #coffeecakerecipe
#Cubancake
#mybigfatcubanfamily
My grandboy, Max loves his @cafelallave espresso. My grandboy, Max loves his @cafelallave espresso. 😉🇨🇺☕️Oh, the Cubanity! 😱#callmewella #cafelallave #cafécubano #espresso
“A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” Salud! ☕️💚🗝️Thank you, @cafelallave for helping me embrace my Cubanity daily. 🇨🇺❤️#cafelallave #cubancoffee #cafecubano #mybigfatcubanfamily  #ohthecubanity🇨🇺 #belikemarta 🖖🏼😎
This is happening in my kitchen right now and you’re all invited to join! ☕️🧁🇨🇺❤️@cafelallave espresso cupcakes with espresso buttercream frosting. 😱 Ahora si! 💃🏻🕺🏼🗝️💚☕️
#espresso #espressocupcakes #bakingwithespresso #cafelallave #mybigfatcubanfamilyRecipe link in profile☝🏼
https://bit.ly/3AIbWhL
This song. ❤️ I want it to be the theme song i This song. ❤️
I want it to be the theme song if anyone ever makes a telenovela about my life. 😂💃🏻🎶❤️
Alternatively, I’d like this written on my tombstone because I totally lead a charmed life:
🎶Lo que esta pa’ ti, nadie te lo quita🎶Please appreciate that he gives a shoutout to Betty (@portosbakery) & to @leonorgavina / @cafelallave.
That whole front row was the entire @cubanheritagela group.🥳🇨🇺❤️
One of the things I love most about @willychirino is how generous he is in sharing his incredible gift with all of us, his Cuban cubiches. 🎶💃🏻🇨🇺❤️I suggest you save this forever and share it. It’s the most encouraging song ever. 🥳Watch. And love. ❤️Also, the voices you hear loudest are me and my daughter, @kikitiando because CUBAN.🇨🇺#willychirino #cubanheritagela #mybigfatcubanfamily #portosbakery #cafelallave #themusicofmypeople🇨🇺
My daughter @kikitiano and I, along with practical My daughter @kikitiano and I, along with practically all of us who are a part of @cubanheritagela went to see our beloved @willychirino tonight. ❤️My heart is so full and I have so much I want to share, and the concert was phenomenal. Willy is in GREAT voice. 🎤It was pretty much the most epic Cuban sing-along (with the most epic Cuban sing-alongers) you’d ever want to be part of. 💃🏻❤️🎶He sang every song we wanted him to sing and it was absolutely satisfying.So he starts one of my favorite songs talking about how how he’s a guajiro. 🌴
It is the happiest, most danceable and sing-alongiest song ever. 💃🏻But then, he started a slideshow behind the music.
And there was Pinar del Río and the amazing “Mogotes” in the Valle de Viñales.
The very recognizable spot where my father’s ashes are scattered.
😭🌴💔So now I’m wrecked and weeping and singing along, but this song is now about MY Papi, another guajiro from another time. 🌴💔(If you want to read the entire beautiful story written by my daughter, Amy, please follow the link below or you can find it also in my profile. ☝🏼https://bit.ly/3mxvPETThank you, @willychirino por la noche perfecta y por tan bien representar a nuestro pueblo. Y mil gracias por la música. Me tocaste el corazón como siempre lo has hecho.
Te mando un fuerte abrazo. ❤️❤️❤️Also, thank you for the shout  out!! I’m going to be impossible to live with. 🤭~@martadarby
@MyBigFatCubanFamily#cubanmusic #willychirino #mybigfatcubanfamily
LA, You’re just too lucky! 🍀 Look who’s com LA, You’re just too lucky! 🍀
Look who’s coming your way on Saturday, April 15th: our beloved Willy Chirino!! 🤩❤️
He will be performing at the gorgeous Alex Theatre in Glendale, and it’s going to be a night to remember.
🔥❤️
There are still tickets available but they’re going fast, so be sure you lock it down.
I’ll be in the front row shaking my colita. Come say hello.
🖖🏼😎🎶Vamos a pasar La Noche Perfecta!!
🙌🏼🎶Also, please go visit the @cubanheritageLA account for a chance to win tickets to this fabulous concert!
🎟️ 🏆https://alextheatre.org/event/willy-chirino
#willychirino #willychirinoin concert #alextheatre #cubanmusic #unartistafamoso
Representing. 🇨🇺☘️😉 Happy St. Patrick Representing. 🇨🇺☘️😉
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, mi gente. 🎉
-Marta O’Cuban 🖖🏼😎#mybigfatcubanfamily #stpatricksday #ocuban
#belikemarta 🖖🏼😎
Load More Follow on Instagram

Follow Marta On Social

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

FEATURED POSTS

  • Cafe La Llave Espresso Ice Cream
    September 12, 2023
  • Cafe La Llave Espresso Coffee Coffee Cake
    June 9, 2023
  • Espresso Cupcakes with Espresso Frosting
    April 29, 2023
  • Sweet 16
    October 3, 2022
  • I’m Loving It
    September 9, 2022

Blog Archives

Footer

Meet Marta

Marta Verdes Darby is a Cuban-American food blogger in South Orange County.

Connect

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Sign Up For My Newsletter

July 2016
MTWTFSS
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031
« Jun   Aug »

Copyright © 2023 my big fat cuban family