Papas con Mote Chilean Wheatberry and Potato

Versión en español

Chilean Papas con Mote, or Potatoes with wheat berries, is an ancient and traditional dish in the countryside. It can be the main dish or a side dish to a protein. It’s very flavorful.

Growing up, I spent the summer on the coast of the Seventh region, central Chile, and I remember that the ladies made Papas con Mote often, or its cousin Papas con Motemei, where the Mote is replaced with hominy corn. 

Tips for some delicious Papas con mote:

How do I cook Chilean wheat mote?

For Mote “al dente,”:

1. Place two cups of Mote and cover with 4 cups of water. There should be at least three fingers of water above the level of the Mote.
2. Cook over medium heat covered. Once it comes to a boil, lower the heat so it simmer gently. Taste it after 13-15 minutes.
3. Stir occasionally and recover.
4. Do not add salt or sugar to the water. It should be neutral. The Mote will absorb the water.
5. When ready, drain excess water and let cool.

Oso is a traditional brand in Chile.

What pumpkin can I use in the US?

I used butternut squash, which is sweeter and creamier than the typical Chilean winter squash. Hubbard, Turban, and Kabocha have squashes with a flavor similar to the Chilean.

How do I get a mote in the US?

The equivalent in the US is wheat berries, but they are not processed similarly, and the most similar grain is barley. You can buy the Quaker brand in the breakfast section of all supermarkets; do not follow the instructions on the package. You have to cook it much less, about 10-15 minutes, to have a good consistency.

I have leftover Mote. In what other dishes can I use it?

The Mote is neutral, so it is effortless to reuse the leftovers in salads or stews. Or in Mote with huesillos.

What can I serve with Papas con Mote?

It can be a side dish to proteins, like a steak, pork chops, etc. I like it with a fried egg as a main dish.

Papas con Mote Chilean Wheatberry and Potato

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An ancient Chilean dish.

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 as main dish / 6 as a side

Ingredients

Units USM

• 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil or Chilean color
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped into small cubes
• 2 cups of yellow squash, cut into small cubes
• 2 large red potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 cup of milk
• Water
• 2 cups of cooked mote (see introduction)
• Salt, pepper, paprika
• whipping cream, optional

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Instructions

1. Melt the color or heat the oil in a medium saucepan or skillet over medium-high heat.
   
2. Saute onion for 5 minutes or until translucent.
   
3. Add the squash and potatoes and cover with the milk, season with salt and colored chili if not using the color at the beginning, and cook covered for 15 minutes. Add water if it starts to get too dry.
   
4. When the potatoes are al dente, add the mote and stir. Cook 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally.
   
5. With a fork or spoon, undo some potatoes and squash to take on the consistency of a stew. Add cream or more milk if desired. Adjust the seasoning.
   
6. Serve hot.
   

• Author: Pilar Hernandez
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Vegetables
• Method: stove-cooked
• Cuisine: Chilean