Ingredients:  For the Meat Filling:  1 kg of ground meat (beef or pork), 1 onion, chopped, 2 cloves of garlic, chopped, 1 green pepper, chopped, 1 can (400 g) of crushed tomato, 2 tablespoons of tomato paste, 1 teaspoon cumin powder, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, Salt and pepper to taste, Cooking oil for sautéing. For Ripe Bananas:  5-6 ripe bananas, peeled and cut into long slices, Oil for frying. For the Bechamel (White Sauce):  3 tablespoons of butter, 3 tablespoons of flour, 2 cups of milk, Salt and pepper to taste, Grated cheese (optional, to gratin).

Preparation:  Step 1: Prepare the Meat Filling:  In a large frying pan, heat a little oil and sauté the onion, garlic and green pepper until tender. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Add the crushed tomato, tomato paste, cumin, oregano, salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat until the meat is cooked through and the mixture has a thick consistency. Booking. Step 2: Prepare the Ripe Bananas:  Peel the ripe bananas and cut them into long slices. Fry the banana slices in hot oil until golden. Place them on absorbent paper to remove excess oil. Step 3: Prepare the Bechamel:  In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and mix well to form a roux. Pour in the milk gradually while stirring to avoid lumps. Cook over low heat until the mixture thickens. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Step 4: Assemble the Pastelón:  In a baking pan, place a layer of fried ripe bananas. Add a layer of prepared ground beef. Repeat the layers until you end up with a layer of ripe bananas on top. Pour the béchamel over the pastelón and make sure to cover well. Step 5: Bake:  Preheat the oven to 180°C. Bake the pastelón for approximately 25-30 minutes or until golden and bubbly. Optionally, you can sprinkle grated cheese over the bechamel layer and gratin until golden. And that’s it! Serve the ripe banana pastry hot and enjoy this delicious combination of flavors and textures. Enjoy!