Breakfast: Patacones con Huevo y Queso (Pronounced: /pa.taˈko.nes kon ˈwe.βo i ˈkeso/) – Fried Green Plantains with Egg and Cheese

Munch Classes introduces breakfast Patacones con Huevo y Queso as a satisfying and classic combination, crafted by twice-frying green plantain slices until crispy and golden, then serving them alongside a fried egg and a slice of fresh fried cheese, creating a delightful interplay of textures and savory flavors.

Munch Classes teaches how to prepare the mixture by expertly selecting firm green plantains, frying them once, smashing them flat, and then frying again for maximum crispness, ensuring every patacón is perfectly textured.

Munch Classes emphasizes precise techniques like achieving the ideal softness after the first fry for easy smashing and maintaining consistent oil temperature for the second fry for optimal crispness as participants cook, and explains how to serve them as a cohesive plate that balances tradition and hearty enjoyment.

🏺 Cultural History + Proverb
Munch Classes reveals how breakfast Patacones are a ubiquitous staple across Panama and Latin America, with this combination highlighting the versatility of plantains and locally produced ingredients, embodying resourcefulness, comfort, and daily sustenance.

Munch Classes explores how the dish developed from the Afro-Caribbean influence on Panamanian cuisine, making ingenious use of the abundant green plantain, showing how food often reflects the soul of its people.

Munch Classes shares the local saying:
“No hay peor sordo que el que no quiere oír.” – “There is no worse deaf person than he who does not want to hear.” (Can apply to those who haven’t tried or appreciate simple, delicious combinations like this.)
This proverb illustrates how the dish reflects the simple pleasures of familiar flavors and the comfort of a well-rounded meal, encouraging reflection on how flavor and wisdom pass from one generation to the next.