Pastelón is a Puerto Rican dish that I did not discover until I visited San Juan in my early 20s. Mind you, I am part Puerto Rican and quickly asked my mom why she never made it for me! Since then, I have tried to make it several times with the traditional ingredients, but find myself always dissecting it a bit. I have finally decided to add a southern twist and replace the standard seasoning with cacoa nibs, ancho chili powder, and bacon (totally optional). I encourage you to play with adding your favorite spices—maybe after you try this version once!

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