Salvadoran FoodSalvadoran ojushte and chayote cakes with quesillo, roasted green chile tomato sauce, and cabbage-orange slaw
An original recipe inspired by traditional Salvadoran flavors: golden cakes made with ojushte puree and sautéed chayote, filled with soft quesillo, served with a roasted tomato and green chile sauce plus a fresh cabbage slaw with orange and oregano.
Ingredients
- 300 g cooked ojushte (hecho puree)
- 250 g chayote squash (pelado and grated)
- 120 g quesillo cheese (cut en 8 cubes)
- 1 unit egg (beaten)
- 40 g corn flour (for dar estructura)
- 100 g white onion (50 g chopped for the dough and 50 g for the sauce)
- 6 g garlic (chopped)
- 400 g ripe tomato (for roasting)
- 60 g green chile (tipo dulce or of sabor suave)
- 180 g green cabbage (finely chopped)
- 120 g orange (juice and wedges skinless)
- 2 g dried oregano (divided)
- 45 ml vegetable oil (divided)
- 8 g salt (or to taste)
- 1 g black pepper (freshly ground)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
1. Place the cooked ojushte in a bowl and mash it until smooth. Set aside.
- 2
2. Grate the chayote and gently squeeze it with your hands to remove some excess moisture.
- 3
3. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (15 ml / 1 tbsp) in a skillet over medium heat. Add 50 g chopped white onion and the garlic; cook for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Add the grated chayote, 1/2 teaspoon salt, black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring, until the chayote loses moisture. Let cool for 5 minutes.
- 4
4. In the bowl, mix the ojushte puree, sautéed chayote, beaten egg, and corn flour until a firm, shapeable dough forms. If needed, let it rest for 5 minutes so the flour can absorb moisture.
- 5
5. Divide the dough into 8 portions. Flatten each portion in your hand, place one cube of quesillo in the center, and seal well to form thick cakes.
- 6
6. Preheat the oven to 400°F / 200°C. Place the tomatoes, green chile, and the remaining 50 g onion on a tray. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (15 ml / 1 tbsp) and a pinch of salt. Roast for 18 to 20 minutes until the tomatoes are soft and lightly browned at the edges.
- 7
7. Blend the roasted tomatoes, green chile, roasted onion, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, and 60 ml water (1/4 cup) until slightly rustic. Transfer to a small saucepan and cook for 5 minutes over medium heat to concentrate the flavor. Adjust salt.
- 8
8. In a bowl, combine the cabbage with the chopped orange segments, orange juice, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Massage for 1 minute with your hands and let sit while you cook the cakes.
- 9
9. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (15 ml / 1 tbsp) in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Brown the cakes for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until firm and deeply golden. If you want to keep them warm, transfer them to the oven at 250°F / 120°C for up to 10 minutes.
- 10
10. Serve the cakes hot over the roasted green chile tomato sauce and alongside the cabbage-orange slaw.
Chef tips
If the ojushte puree feels too moist, add 1 to 2 extra tablespoons of corn flour. For better sealing, lightly dampen your hands when shaping the cakes.
Substitutions
If you cannot find ojushte, you may use mashed potato, though the traditional profile will change. Quesillo can be replaced with low-moisture mozzarella or Oaxaca cheese. Mild green chile can be swapped for green bell pepper for a gentler flavor.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageNinja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
Illustrative imageCosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
Illustrative imageTempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
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