The Cubano

Ingredients

For mango salsa:
1 large ripe mango, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
2 T. chopped cilantro
2 T red onion, diced
1-2 small green chiles, diced juice of one medium lime
For patties:
Vegetable oil for brushing grill
2 lbs ground pork
3 cloves crushed garlic
2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1 tsp chili powder
vegetable oil for frying
1 large semi-ripe plantain, sliced into 2 in. pieces
salt to taste
6 slices pepper jack cheese
6 Cuban rolls, sliced in half crosswise to create buns
melted butter for buns

Instructions

1. Combine mango, bell pepper, cilantro, red onion, chiles, and lime juice in a small bowl. Set aside. 2. Heat grill to medium high and brush grill with vegetable oil. 3.In a large bowl gently combine the pork, garlic, salt, pepper, and chili powder. 4. Divide meat into 6 equal oval shaped patties in order to fit the buns. Lightly press center of patties so that it is slightly thinner than at the edges. Set aside. 5. Pour enough vegetable oil into a medium saucepan to cover the bottom. Heat oil to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Add plantain to the pan and fry until lightly golden brown on each side(approximately 2 minutes per side). Remove plantain pieces from oil and place on paper towel lined plate. Set aside. 6.Place patties on hot grill and cook for approximately five minutes per side or until slighlty charred. 7. While patties are grilling, prepare plantains for a second frying. Lightly smash plantain until each piece is flattened. Return the now flattened plantain pieces to pan of hot vegetable oil. Fry until light golden brown, 1-2 minutes per side. Remove from oil and place on paper towel lined plate. Salt to taste. Set aside. 8. When burgers are almost done, add one slice of cheese per pattie and continue to cook until cheese is melted, about 2 minutes. Remove patties from grill and to allow the meat to rest while toasting buns. 9. Brush inside of buns with melted butter and grill until lightly toasted. Remove from grill. 10.To assemble the burgers place patties on the toasted buns then add pieces of plantain and top with mango salsa.