Season 09 - Lunch / S09L12
Quesadilla de Pernil with Pineapple Salsa
Story
One rainy afternoon, Don Luis found himself reminiscing about a summer barbecue where the aroma of slow-roasted pernil filled the air. He remembered his grandson running up, asking, *“Can we put this in a quesadilla?”* That question sparked an idea — a crispy, cheesy quesadilla stuffed with tender Puerto Rican-style pernil, paired with a tangy-sweet pineapple salsa to brighten the flavor. Wearing his signature jean-and-leather apron, Don Luis got to work. The sizzling of tortillas on the griddle and the vibrant colors of chopped fruit made his rustic kitchen feel like a street food stand in Old San Juan. As always, he made enough to share — because in Don Luis’s kitchen, food is love and love is meant to be shared. 💛 Time, Calories & Cost
Ingredients
- For the Quesadilla 🌮
- 2 cups shredded pernil (slow-roasted pork shoulder) 🐖
- 4 large flour tortillas
- 1½ cups shredded Oaxaca cheese or mozzarella 🧀
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter 🧈
- For the Pineapple Salsa 🍍
- 1 cup fresh pineapple, diced 🍍
- 0.5 red onion, finely chopped 🧅
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced (optional for kids) 🌶️
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped 🌿
- Juice of 1 lime 🍋
- Salt to taste 🧂
Instructions
- 1Prepare the Salsa: In a bowl, combine pineapple, red onion, jalapeño (if using), cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to serve. 🥣
- 2Warm the Pernil: Reheat shredded pernil in a pan over medium heat for 2–3 minutes until warm. Add a splash of broth or water if needed to keep it juicy. 🔥
- 3Assemble the Quesadillas:
- 4On one half of each tortilla, layer cheese, pernil, and a little more cheese. Fold in half.
- 5Cook the Quesadillas:
- 6Heat a non-stick pan with a little olive oil or butter. Cook each quesadilla for 2–3 minutes per side until golden and crispy, and the cheese is melted. 🧀🔥
- 7Serve: Slice into triangles and top (or serve on the side) with chilled pineapple salsa. Optional: a dollop of sour cream or avocado crema. 😋
About the narrator
Don Luis · A character for three generations
Don Luis is the brand character and narrator for this catalog: a warm voice for Puerto Rican family recipes tested by the real creator behind the brand. The project carries three generations of flavor and writes each recipe step by step so any kid can follow it.
Read our mission →