5.0 from 6 votes
Cocombro or Pepino del Monte Guisado (Burr Gherkin)
Learn my favorite pepino silvestre o pepino del monte recipe: cocombro guisado. This is a rare traditional Dominican recipe that I grew with.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 144 kcal
Course:
Lunch
Cuisine:
Caribbean , Dominican
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless pork shoulder [0.45 kg](or belly), cut into small pieces
- ½ teaspoon oregano (dry, ground)
- ¼ teaspoon pepper (freshly-cracked, or ground)
- 1¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 pound cocombro (West Indian gherkin) [0.45 kg] (pepinos silvestres), clean of seeds and cut into quarters
- 1 cubanela (cubanelle pepper or bell pepper), cut into small pieces
- 3 cloves garlic crushed
- 1 red onion cut into strips
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons minced cilantro
Instructions
1. Seasoning the meat
- Season the meat with orégano, a pinch of pepper and a teaspoon of salt.
Cup of Yum
2. Browning the meat
- Heat the oil over medium heat in a deep-bottom pot. Add the meat and cook stirring (careful with splatters of hot oil). It will release some liquid, once it has evaporated cook until it browns.Add half a cup of water and cover. Cook until the water has evaporated (be careful you don't let the meat burn).
3. Cooking the cocombro
- Add the gherkin and cook stirring until it has heated through. Add another half a cup of water. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, or until the gherkins are cooked through (you should taste them).
4. Making the sauce
- Let the liquid evaporate and add peppers, garlic, and onion. Stir and cover. Simmer for 2 minutes.Add the tomato sauce and a cup of water. Mix well and simmer until it breaks the boil.Season with salt to taste. Add the cilantro, stir, and remove from the heat and serve.
Nutrition Information
Calories
144kcal
(7%)
Carbohydrates
7g
(2%)
Protein
10g
(20%)
Fat
8g
(12%)
Saturated Fat
2g
(10%)
Cholesterol
31mg
(10%)
Sodium
1649mg
(69%)
Potassium
384mg
(11%)
Fiber
2g
(8%)
Sugar
4g
(8%)
Vitamin A
940IU
(19%)
Vitamin C
31.1mg
(35%)
Calcium
19mg
(2%)
Iron
1.4mg
(8%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 144
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 144kcal | 7% |
| Carbohydrates | 7g | 2% |
| Protein | 10g | 20% |
| Fat | 8g | 12% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 31mg | 10% |
| Sodium | 1649mg | 69% |
| Potassium | 384mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 940IU | 19% |
| Vitamin C | 31.1mg | 35% |
| Calcium | 19mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1.4mg | 8% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.