A Traditional Taste: Olla de Carne

Olla de carne is a hearty beef stew that is typically prepared on weekends both in homes and in many local sodas. The stew combines a number of locally grown ingredients to help provide its rich taste, including cassava, carrots, corn, plantains and taro roots. Olla de carne often features larger vegetables like potatoes as well to provide an extra hearth to what is already a savory stew.

Ingredients

• 8 cups water
• 1 lb lean beef, cut into 3-4 inch pieces
• 1 lb lean beef short ribs, cut into 3-4-inch pieces
• 1 cup potato, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 lb cassava, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 lb carrots, chopped
• 5 corn on the cob, cut into 3-inch pieces
• 1 lb taro roots, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1 lb sweet potato, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 3 green plantains, peeled and cut into 3-inch pieces
• Salt to taste

Directions

Heat water in a saucepan over medium high. Add salt, lean beef, and short ribs and cook for 20 minutes. Add carrots, cobs, green plantains, and cassava. Wait five minutes and add the taro roots, potatoes, and sweet potatoes. Cover and cook for 25 minutes on high medium heat until vegetables and roots are cooked. Serve hot with a bowl of rice.