How to Prepare Pasta Para Duros
Pasta Para Duros are a popular Mexican snack made from wheat pasta puffed by frying in oil. The result is a crunchy, chip-like treat that can be enjoyed with sweet or savory toppings. Try Pasta Para Duros with Melissa’s Pico de Gallo or Chile Lime Seasonings, Costa Azul Hot Sauce, or with a squeeze of lime and a pinch of salt.
How to Prepare Pasta Para Duros
Basics
Gather your ingredients and cooking tools. You’ll need:
- Melissa’s Pasta Para Duros
- A neutral-tasting, high smoke-point cooking oil, such as canola, grapeseed, sunflower, or vegetable
- Accoutrements, such as Melissa’s Pico de Gallo Seasoning, Chile Lime Seasoning, Costa Azul Hot Sauce, and fresh key lime wedges. Sweet toppings might include powdered sugar and cinnamon.
- A deep fryer, or heavy-bottomed, high-walled pot, or Dutch oven
- Cooking thermometer (optional; see tip below)
- Meshed strainer for frying, or tongs
- Baking sheet lined with paper towels for draining and cooling
1. Pour 3-4” of cooking oil into your pot, or Dutch oven, and heat to 350-375°F. If you don’t have a thermometer, you can test the oil with a wooden spoon, or wooden chopstick. Submerge the tip into hot oil, and if steady bubbles form around it, the oil is ready.
2. Cooking in small batches, add Pasta Para Duros to the oil. Leave enough room in the pot for the pasta to triple in size and puff up. Note: the uncooked Para Duros will sink to the bottom of the pot. You can gently coax them tongs or a wooden spoon to prevent them from sticking.
3. As they cook, the Para Duros will rise to the surface of the oil, puff, and turn light in color. Your Para Duros are done when fully puffed and have a pale, straw-like color.
4. Using mesh strainer or tongs, carefully remove Para Duros from the oil and transfer to a plate or baking sheet lined with paper towels for draining and cooling.
5. Season while warm with your preferred toppings.
