This recipe is not light or healthy at all, but it's one of my favorite Spanish recipes and it's vegan (yay!). You only need 6 ingredients to make patatas a lo pobre (poor man's potatoes): potatoes, green pepper, onion, garlic, extra virgin olive oil and salt. As you can see, it's a really cheap dish.
I usually make a lighter version, it's also delicious and much healthier. You only need to saute the green peppers, onion and garlic with a little bit of olive oil and then add the potatoes and water. Let the potatoes cook for about 15 minutes or until they're soft. I must admit the traditional version is more tasty, but I love both. You can add salt, but it's optional.
Fried food is unhealthy, I know, and in my daily life I hardly ever fry, I prefer to eat raw fruits and vegetables or use other cooking methods, but sometimes I fry and when I do, I always use extra virgin olive oil and a pan, I never use a fryer.
This recipe is super easy, everybody can make patatas a lo pobre. You only need to fry the veggies in hot oil over medium-low heat, that's all! And it's ready in only 15 minutes. You can add more or less veggies, this recipe always works.
It's hard to eat vegan in Spain in some cities, but there are some dishes you can find in many restaurants, like patatas a lo pobre, although sometimes is made with egg too, so be careful! Salmorejo and gazpacho are also vegan Spanish dishes and they are so delectable.
Spanish food is awesome (yeah, I know, I'm Spanish, what can I say), but most of the recipes aren't vegan, although there's not a problem for me, I veganize my favorite dishes, and they taste even better and are much healthier and also cruelty-free. I hope you like patatas a lo pobre, there are super easy to make and taste really amazing.
📖 Recipe
Patatas a lo Pobre (Poor Man's Potatoes)
Ingredients
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2-3 potatoes
- 1 onion
- 1-2 green peppers
- 2 cloves of garlic
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Peel the potatoes and wash them. Cut them in half lengthwise. Then, slice the potatoes in pieces approximately 3 mm or â…›" thick. Peel the onion and slice them. Julienne the green pepper and crush the garlic, but don't remove the skin.
- Add the oil in a pan and when it's hot, you can add the veggies and the salt. Cook them about 15 or 20 minutes or until the potatoes are soft over medium-low heat.
- Use the slotted spoon to remove the veggies from the oil and transfer to a plate lined with paper towel to absorb excess cooking oil.
potato says
I was wondering if the 1 cup of oil in the recipe was a typo. It seems like a lot of oil if we are not frying the potatoes. Please let me know as soon as possible!!!
Adriana @ Simple Vegan Blog says
Hi! There is not typo 🙂
Annik Bernatchez says
Looks delicious! What do you usually serve it with?
Iosune says
Hi Annik! Veggies (salads are so popular in Spain) and any source of protein (I love tofu and seitan). Have a nice day!
Debra Whitehouse says
I made your vegan paella last night and it was fantastic! I am going to make the poor man's potatoes today. I love your recipes. Yummy.
Iosune says
Hi Debra! Thanks a lot 🙂 I'm so glad you liked it and hope you enjoy the potatoes. Have a nice day!
Jo says
Forgive me for probably missing something obvious 🙂 but I can't see where in the recipe you add the water, or how much?I am definitely trying this recipe asap once I hear back from you! Thank you
Iosune says
Hi Jo! You can make this recipe using water or oil, I used oil this time, but if you want to use water, you only need to sauté the green peppers, onion and garlic with a little bit of olive oil and then add the potatoes and some water. Let the potatoes cook for about 15 minutes or until they’re soft 🙂
Zarah says
I really like your recipes, and your site is wonderfully airy, light and easy to navigate. Thank you for all the inspiration! (Also - it makes my dream to go to Spain feel a LOT more immediate! When I do, I might come back for pointers and a few phrases, to make sure I order vegan.;)) 😀
Iosune says
Thanks Zarah! I hope you can visit Spain soon and eat delicious vegan meals 😀
jess says
Green peppers as in bell peppers or another kind?
Iosune says
Hi Jess! We use Italian peppers here in Spain, but you can use bell peppers too 🙂
Sandra says
This is my dream dish! 🙂 Looks amazing!
Iosune says
Hi Sandra! Thanks a lot 🙂