Salbutes and Panuchos are two typical Yucatan antojitos (snacks), very similar.
Both use corn masa, and are topped as you like: with tomato, avocado, pickled red onion, chicken or pork (cochinita pibil), salad, and sauce.
Panuchos are cooked on a griddle, and then, through a small slit, they are stuffed with beans and then fried in very hot butter or vegetable oil until they become crispy and golden brown.
According to popular tradition, the panucho was invented in Mérida in the 19th century by a cook named Don Ucho, residing in a place called Ermita de Santa Isabel , in the southwest of the city.
Salbutes, on the other hand, are fried for a short time, trying to maintain a soft consistency and are not stuffed.
Other Mexican antojitos:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Cheap
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 10/15 pieces
- Cooking methods: Frying, Stove
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Seasonality: All seasons
Ingredients
- 1.1 lbs masa harina (or white corn flour)
- as needed butter
- as needed vegetable oil
- as needed salt
- 9 oz refried beans
Steps
For the panuchos:
Make 1.2-inch (3 cm) size balls with the dough and flatten them to form thick tortillas about the size of a small pizza.
Cook them on a comal.
Make a small cut in the tortillas and fill them with refried beans (if you want to make them: here is the recipe).
Fry them in abundant oil.
For the salbutes:
Make 1.2-inch (3 cm) size balls with the dough (masa harina + water as needed for kneading + salt) and flatten them to form thick tortillas about the size of a small pizza.
Heat butter in a large pan and fry the tortillas until they turn golden and start to puff up.
Season both the panuchos and salbutes to taste: with sliced tomato, avocado, pickled red onion, chicken or pork (cochinita pibil), salad, and sauce.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
What is cochinita pibil?
Pork meat marinated in annatto, sour orange juice, garlic, salt, pepper, and various spices;
wrapped in banana leaves and cooked underground (pib’il).
It is accompanied by fresh habanero chili and onion marinated in aromatic bitter or white vinegar.What is the difference between salbutes, panuchos, and tostadas?
Tostadas are corn tortillas fried in oil.
