Marisel’s Cuban Thanksgiving has always been a mix of her Latin and American upbringing.
Pulpeta, a fried Cuban meatloaf, is a mainstay at her table.
Simply Recipes / Marisel Salazar
In my family we say Happy Sangibing rather than Happy Thanksgiving.
Simply Recipes / Marisel Salazar
Its what assimilation sounds like.
And I suppose I am what assimilationor rather, adaptationmay look like, too.
Pulpeta is a fried Cuban meatloaf but its also so much more than that.
Simply Recipes / Marisel Salazar
Since it is a dish traditionally served with mashed potatoes, it was a seamless fit at our table.
I recall pulpeta making appearances even when I lived abroad in Hawaii and Japan during the 1990s.
My own upbringing was marked by tightened finances executed by a single mother raising two girls.
Simply Recipes / Marisel Salazar
We had to make decisions such as forgoing the superficial nature of braces in favor of paying for healthcare.
But constraint breeds creativity and pulpeta is a fine Cuban example of that.
Learning perfect American English and the Pledge of Allegiance to gain citizenshipCharlies Golden Tickettook precedence.
Simply Recipes / Marisel Salazar
And to share a delicious slice with you.
The sofrito is also reserved for drizzling on individual slices of pulpeta when its ready to eat.
This gives the juices time to redistribute and settle.
Simply Recipes / Marisel Salazar
To freeze, slice it up and wrap each slice individually before freezing.
It should be 15 inches wide and 12 inches long.
In a large bowl using your hands or wooden spoon, combine the ground beef and pork.
Simply Recipes / Marisel Salazar
Mold the meat over the eggs, totally covering them, and shape back into a loaf shape.
Gently wrap the meatloaf in the parchment paper or foil and refrigerate the loaf for at least an hour.
Place remaining breadcrumbs on a large plate.
Simply Recipes / Marisel Salazar
Place the remaining beaten eggs in a large glass rectangular pan.
Remove the loaf from the refrigerator and unwrap.
Set a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat and heat 1/4 cup of olive oil.
Simply Recipes / Marisel Salazar
Set a heavy bottomed Dutch oven over medium heat.
Add the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil and then add the garlic, peppers, and onions.
Cook until soft for 5 to 7 minutes.
Simply Recipes / Marisel Salazar
Remove thee vegetables from the pot into a small plate or bowl.
Add tomato sauce, olives, and the vegetables back into the pan.
Cover and simmer over low heat for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Simply Recipes / Marisel Salazar
Spoon the sauce over the meat every 10 minutes, as it cooks.
Remove the meat to a serving platter using tongs and a metal spatula and allow to rest.
Slice the meat into about 1 1/2-inch slices.
Simply Recipes / Marisel Salazar
Pour sauce over meat if desired.
Simply Recipes / Marisel Salazar
Simply Recipes / Marisel Salazar
