Dominican Sancocho

Ingredients for Dominican Sancocho

• 1 (275g) package Dominican longaniza sausage (optional)

• 2.8L plus 350ml water, divided

• 110g bacon (4 slices), cut into 1-inch pieces

• 1 (1-pound) beef shank (1 1/2 inches thick)

• 450g boneless pork shoulder, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces

• 4 chicken thighs with skin and bone

• 1 large onion, chopped

• 1 Cubanelle or other mild frying pepper, chopped

• 1 red pepper, chopped

• 2 tablespoons chopped garlic (4 to 5 cloves)

• 1/2 cup chopped coriander stems (from 2 bunches)

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano

• 450g unripe (green) plantains

• 450g yuca

• 450g ñame

• 450g white yautía

• 450g calabaza (Caribbean pumpkin

• often sold in large wedges) or butternut squash

• 2 ears corn, cut into 1 1/2-inch rounds

• 90ml fresh Seville orange juice (or 45ml regular fresh orange juice plus 45ml fresh lime juice)

• Accompaniments: white rice

• hot sauce

• sliced avocado

• N/A hot sauce

• N/A avocado

• Garnish: chopped coriander

How to make Dominican Sancocho

Cook longaniza (if using) with 120ml water in a 12-inch heavy skillet, covered, over medium heat, turning occasionally, until browned on all sides and water has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Cut crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces, then transfer to an 8-quart pot.

Cook bacon in skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp, then transfer to pot with a slotted spoon, reserving fat in skillet.

Meanwhile, cut meat from beef shank into 1 1/2-inch pieces, reserving bone. Pat beef, pork, and chicken dry, putting them in separate bowls. Toss meat in each bowl with 1/2 teaspoons salt.

Heat fat in skillet over medium-high heat until hot, then add beef and bone in 1 layer and brown, turning occasionally, about 7 minutes. Transfer to pot with slotted spoon. Brown pork and chicken in separate batches in same manner, transferring to pot.

Add onion, peppers, garlic, and 1/2 teaspoons salt to skillet and sauté until softened. Add 240ml water and boil, stirring and scraping up brown bits, 1 minute. Transfer vegetable mixture to pot. Add coriander stems, oregano, 2 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoons pepper, and remaining 2.8L water to pot and bring to a boil. Skim off any foam, then simmer, partially covered, stirring occasionally, until meat is tender, about 1 1/2 hours.

While meat simmers, cut ends from plantains with a sharp small knife, then cut a lengthwise slit through peel. Beginning at slit, pry off peel, then cut plantains crosswise into 1-inch-thick pieces.

Trim ends from yuca and cut crosswise into 2-inch pieces, then peel, removing waxy brown skin and pinkish layer underneath. Quarter lengthwise and cut out coarse centre fiber.

Peel ñame and yautía, then cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces and keep in a bowl of cold water.

Seed and peel calabaza, then cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces.

Add plantain and yuca to tender meat in pot and simmer, partially covered, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes. Drain ñame and yautía and add to pot along with calabaza, then simmer, partially covered, stirring occasionally, 20 minutes. Remove and discard beef and chicken bones.

Add corn and simmer, partially covered, stirring occasionally, until corn is tender and all root vegetables are very tender (yuca should be translucent), 10 to 15 minutes. Sancocho broth should be slightly thickened from root vegetables; thin with additional water if necessary. Stir in juice and reheat, then season with salt and pepper.

Clause de non-responsabilité

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.