---
title: "Colombian Cabeza de Gato — Green Plantain Balls Recipe"
description: "Versión en Español. Colombian cabeza de gato is made by boiling 3 green plantains in salted water for about 20 minutes until tender, peeling and mashing them with butter and salt, mixing in finely dic..."
url: https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/colombian-cabeza-de-gato-green-plantain-balls-recipe/
date: 2026-09-27
modified: 2026-09-27
author: "Carlos Uhart M."
image: https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/colombian-cabeza-de-gato-green-plantain-balls-featured.jpg
categories: ["Appetizers"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# Colombian Cabeza de Gato — Green Plantain Balls Recipe

[Versión en Español](https://comidaschilenas.com/receta-de-cabeza-de-gato-colombiana/)

![Colombian cabeza de gato, mashed green plantain balls with cheese and egg](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/colombian-cabeza-de-gato-green-plantain-balls-featured.jpg)*Homemade Colombian cabeza de gato*

Colombian cabeza de gato is made by boiling 3 green plantains in salted water for about 20 minutes until tender, peeling and mashing them with butter and salt, mixing in finely diced onion, and shaping the mash into balls, served with costeño cheese and hard-boiled eggs. It takes 30 minutes of preparation plus 25 minutes of cooking and serves 2 people.

It is a very popular breakfast on the Caribbean coast of Colombia.

## How to Make Cabeza de Gato?

The key is large, healthy green plantains, boiled and mashed into a smooth purée with butter and onion.

## Nutritional Information

Each serving of cabeza de gato contains approximately 270 kcal, 51 g of carbohydrates, 7 g of fat, 6 g of protein, 4 g of fiber, 9 g of sugars, 110 mg of cholesterol, and 360 mg of sodium. These values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients and portion sizes.

## Homemade Colombian Cabeza de Gato Recipe

**Preparation:** 30 minutes
**Cooking:** 25 minutes
**Servings:** 2 people

### Ingredients

- 3 green plantains
- 2 hard-boiled eggs
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 cup of costeño cheese (or fresh salty white cheese)
- 1 tablespoon of butter
- Salt

### Instructions

1. Wash the green plantains, place them in a medium pot, cover with water, add a teaspoon of salt, and boil for about 20 minutes until tender. Drain, peel, and place in a large bowl.
2. Add the butter and a pinch of salt and mash with a fork or potato masher.

![Butter to mash into the green plantains](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/softened-butter-mocha-buttercream.jpg)*Butter*

1. Add the diced onion and mix until evenly combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning, cover with a kitchen towel, and rest a few minutes so the flavors blend.

![Finely diced onion for the plantain mash](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/diced-onion-budin-jurel.jpg)*Diced onion*

1. Shape the mash into balls with your palms and serve right away, with costeño cheese and hard-boiled eggs.

![Hard-boiled eggs to serve with cabeza de gato](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/hard-boiled-eggs-quartered.jpg)*Hard-boiled eggs*

## Additional Tips

### Mash while hot

Hot plantains mash smoothly; once cold they turn stiff and lumpy.

### Use truly green plantains

Green plantains give the firm, savory mash; ripe ones are sweet and soft.

### Add fried pork

For a heartier version, mix in crispy chicharrón or fried pork belly, a common coastal variation.

| Original ingredient | Substitute | Ratio | Flavor note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Costeño cheese | Feta or queso fresco | 1:1 | Milder or saltier |
| Butter | Pork fat | 1:1 | More traditional |
| Raw onion | Sautéed onion | 1:1 | Sweeter |
| Green plantain | Cassava | 1:1 | Denser |

## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

### 1. Why is it called cabeza de gato?

The name, meaning cat’s head, comes from the round shape of the mashed plantain balls.

### 2. What is costeño cheese?

A firm, salty fresh cheese from Colombia’s Caribbean coast; feta or queso fresco are good substitutes.

### 3. When is it eaten?

Mostly at breakfast, with eggs, cheese, and coffee.

### 4. Can I prepare it ahead?

It is best fresh, but you can reheat the mash in a skillet with a little butter.

## What Is Cabeza de Gato?

Cabeza de gato is a Colombian Caribbean breakfast of mashed green plantain with butter and onion, shaped into balls.

## Benefits of Green Plantain

Green plantain is a good source of fiber, resistant starch, B vitamins, and minerals such as potassium.

## Did You Know?

Similar green plantain mashes are eaten across the Caribbean, such as mangú in the Dominican Republic.

## Recommended

- [Venezuelan Torta de Auyama](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/venezuelan-torta-de-auyama-pumpkin-cake-recipe/)
- [Chilean Ajiaco](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/homemade-chilean-ajiaco-recipe/)
- [Homemade Salchipapas](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/homemade-salchipapas-fries-and-sausages-recipe/)
- [Venezuelan Rice Chicha](https://www.chileanfoodrecipes.com/venezuelan-rice-chicha-criolla-recipe/)