Creamy Cuban San Germán Purée made with green peas, pumpkin, and serrano ham, garnished with fresh cilantro.

 

Cuban San Germán Purée: Tradition and Flavor in One Dish

An iconic dish of Cuban home cooking that blends simplicity with depth of flavor. San Germán Purée is distinguished by its smooth texture and its harmonious combination of green peas, pumpkin, and serrano ham, creating a nourishing and comforting preparation. It is ideal as a starter or as a side dish for family lunches.

🫛 Ingredients:

  • 1 cup green peas
  • 1/2 green bell pepper
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 small onion
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 cup pumpkin (cut into small pieces)
  • 2 ½ cups chicken broth or beef broth
  • 1/4 pound serrano ham (finely chopped)
  • Fresh cilantro, finely chopped (for garnish)

 

 

👨‍🍳 Detailed Preparation

1. Soak the peas

Rinse the peas several times with plenty of water. Then leave them submerged for 12 hours to make cooking easier.

2. Initial cooking

Discard the soaking water, add the broth and the serrano ham, and place the pot over medium-high heat. When foam appears on the surface, remove it carefully with a skimmer. Cook until the peas are tender, about 20 to 30 minutes.

3. Prepare the vegetables

Finely chop the green bell pepper and the onion. You may use a manual chopper to achieve a more even cut.

4. Combine the ingredients

Add the pumpkin, bell pepper, onion, and butter to the pot. Cover and cook over low heat for about 15 minutes, until the pumpkin is completely soft. Adjust the salt at the end.

5. Blend until smooth

Transfer the entire contents to a blender and process until a creamy and uniform consistency is achieved.

6. Final presentation

Serve in a deep ceramic or glass dish and garnish with fresh cilantro leaves before bringing it to the table.

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ℹ️ Recipe Information

  • Yield: 4 servings
  • Total time: 12 hours (soaking) + 45 minutes (cooking) + 10 minutes (blending)
  • Dish type: Creams & Purées
  • Cuisine: Cuban

💡 Recommendations

  • This purée can be served with slices of toasted bread on cooler days.
  • If you prefer a stronger flavor, you may add a small extra amount of finely chopped serrano ham on top.

📌 Suggested tags

san germán purée, cuban recipes, traditional cuisine, creole creams, pea dishes

📣 Your opinion matters

Have you prepared this recipe? Share how it turned out and whether you made any personal variations. Your experience can inspire other lovers of Cuban cuisine.

For the Spanish version, visit: Puré San Germán Cubano: Textura Cremosa con Sabor Criollo.