Yuca Frita with Citrus Dipping Sauce
Yuca, also called cassava, is a starchy root vegetable enjoyed throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. These crispy yuca fries have a soft, fluffy center, making them a delicious alternative to traditional French fries.
Makes
Serving size
Ingredients
1 large (600 grams) yuca root, cut into ½-inch thick by 3-inch-long strips
1 ¼ cups olive oil, separated
1 cup cilantro leaves, fresh, chopped
2 tablespoons orange juice, fresh squeezed
2 tablespoons lime, fresh squeezed
½ medium (3 grams) serrano pepper, raw and chopped
½ clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon sugar
⅛ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Heat a large saucepan half filled with water to boil.
- Boil yuca immediately after cutting into strips. Boil until it feels tender when a fork is inserted, approximately 15 minutes. Discard the water; drain yuca on a plate.
- Combine ¼ cup of the olive oil with the remaining ingredients in a medium bowl while the yuca is cooking. Mix well.
- Transfer the cilantro-citrus sauce to a serving bowl.
- Heat the remaining 1 cup olive oil in a skillet over medium high heat.
- Fry yuca strips in batches turning them around to cook thoroughly about 5 minutes each batch (there will be more than half of the oil left over that can be filtered and reused another time).
- Serve yuca frita with the cilantro-citrus dipping sauce and enjoy.
Cooking Tip
Boiling the yuca before frying helps create a crispy exterior and a soft, fluffy center. Make sure the yuca is fork-tender before frying for the best texture.
Recipe Contributed by FamilyCook Productions
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