A traditional Panamanian dish — Guineo en Escabeche is a tangy, cold side dish of boiled green bananas bathed in a vinegar marinade with onions, sweet peppers and garlic. The escabeche technique came to Panama with Spanish and Caribbean cooks, and the dish is a fixture at fiestas, where it sits proudly beside the roast meats. Chilled overnight, the bananas drink up the marinade and turn irresistibly tart and garlicky.
Guineo en Escabeche
A traditional Panamanian dish — Guineo en Escabeche is a tangy, cold side dish of boiled green bananas bathed in a vinegar marinade with onions, sweet peppers and garlic.

Step by stepInstructions
- Boil the bananas in salted water until just tender, about 15 minutes; the skins will darken, which is normal.
- Drain, let cool slightly, then peel and slice into rounds about ¾ inch thick.
- Warm the vinegar, oil, bay leaves, peppercorns, oregano and salt in a saucepan over low heat for 3 minutes; add the onion, bell pepper and garlic and simmer 2 more minutes.
- Combine the banana slices and olives, if using, in a glass bowl and pour the hot marinade over them.
- Cool, cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours, ideally overnight, turning once.
- Serve chilled as a side to roasted or fried meats.
💡 Chef tips & storage
The bananas should be cooked until tender but still hold their shape. Taste after a few hours and add vinegar or salt to balance — escabeche should be assertively tangy.

Join the conversation
Only members can comment — it takes a few seconds to create a free account.
Log in Create an account