Moist Mofongo - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 green plantains, peeled and sliced into 1-inch discs
3 tablespoons salt, divided
freshly ground black pepper to taste
6 slices bacon (optional)
2 ounces fried pork rinds (optional)
1 cup olive oil
1/4 cup diced onion
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
2 cloves garlic

Preparation

Boil water in a large saucepan; add plantains, 2 tablespoons salt, and a dash pepper. Cook until very soft, about 30 minutes. Drain.
Fry bacon in a skillet until crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a bowl; crumble.
Crush pork rinds in a mortar; transfer to a bowl.
Blend olive oil, onion, cilantro, garlic, remaining 1 tablespoon salt, and a dash pepper in a food processor until liquefied.
Mash warm plantains in the mortar in batches; transfer to a large bowl. Stir in pork rinds, bacon, and olive oil mixture until well combined. Shape mofongo into balls.