Pork Adobo Patacones Recipe

Make the adobo: Combine pork, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, peppercorn, and water in a bowl. Marinate, covered, in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

Place pork and marinade in a pot over medium heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until sauce has caramelized.

Preheat oven to 165°F. Flake pork into long shreds using two forks. Place on a baking tray and air-dry for 10 minutes. Oven-dry adobo in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden.

Heat cooking oil in a pan, add dried pork, and fry for 3 to 5 minutes or until crisp and golden. Drain on paper towels. Let cool.

Make the patacones: heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Fry banana rounds for 3 minutes or until golden. Drain on paper towels.

Place a banana round between 2 pieces of wax paper. Gently flatten banana using your palm until about 1/4 inch thick. Repeat with remaining bananas.

Dredge flattened banana in flour; sprinkle with salt and sugar. Deep-fry bananas in the same pan until both sides are golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

To serve, top each fried banana with 1 tablespoon adobo flakes, diced tomatoes, and a cilantro leaf.