3/23/13

Yuca Frita-Yuca Fries

Hola Amigos! Happy Weekend...this is a make up post for the absence of Quicky Friday yesterday, so I worked really hard trying to find something fun and different for you to enjoy.

I found what I was looking for in a very odd looking root, Yuca! yes,,,if you are tired of your usual french fries or  even sweet potato fries...keep reading, you are going to love these.
Yuca, also known as cassava, manioc or mandioca is a shrub from South America, Africa, Asia and any other tropical weather region. It's root is rich in starch which makes it a main source of carbohydrates. When it's dry and powdery is called Tapioca (I'm sure you have heard and tried this before).

I was happily surprised that one of my favorite restaurants, Bahama Breeze serves them as appetizers under Crisp Yuka Fries (this spelling is actually the name of a Mammoth from Yukatia, a whole different thing, but it sell I guess, lol). So if you happen to be at a Bahama Breeze, after reading this post perhaps you'll feel more comfortable ordering them.

This is a Pic of Crisp Yuka Fries from Bahama Breeze

The location of the restaurant is quite far from where I live, so since I like them so much I made my own batch as I'm showing you here so you can also make them at home if  you see this funny looking root at your local market.

Yuca Frita- Yuca Fries

1-2 Yuca Roots
oil for frying 
salt, pepper or lemon pepper to taste.
First you need to take a good look at your yuca so you can assess  where to cut it in chunks, you know, 3 or 4 chunks out of one, pretty much the same thing you do when you have to cut a potato or a squash.

Once they are cut, peel the thick skin until they are all white, again, just as you would do with a potato.
(I went and cleaned these chunks a bit more after this pic)

Drop them in a large pot with salt and boil them until they are soft but still somewhat firm (imagine you are making a potato salad and not mashed) about 20 minutes.
Remove from heat and drain them, let them dry on paper towel for a minute or 2, cut them in little chunks while your heating up the oil in your fryer.

  Fry them until they are crisp and golden brown.Sprinkle them with salt, or if you want a little bit of pepper or lemon pepper to kick them up a notch.

Listo! 
They are so good! As a snack by themselves with some ketchup if you want.

As a side dish with your hamburgers
or instead of hash browns for breakfast

They are addictive I tell you...if my picky 4 yo loves them you would too!
Hope you enjoyed this post and give my Yuca Fries a try this weekend. Remember, everything tastes better with a Pinch of Love!

Besitos,
Lizy

Sharing a tropical snack at these Fabulous Parties:
Spatulas on Parade

14 comments:

  1. Hi Lizy, Yours look better than the restaurant ones. How are they on calories compared to potatoes? Aren't they also sweeter than potatoes? Thanks for dropping by recently. I had subscribed to your blog but wasn't getting any posts. I re-subscribed and got today's post without any problems. Take care, Janet and the kitties

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    1. My Dear Miss Blue! Thank You so much...you are right, I think since they are a bit more starchy than the potatoes they are just a bit sweeter, but since they are fried calorie wise I think they're hand in hand...BUT...I will make them boiled and with a vinaigrette to lick your fingers clean and will post God willing next week! That is more calorie friendly. A big Hug to you and if you have any more problems with the subscription email me again and I look into it. Thank You for stopping by and a big hug to all the kitties! (and mamma too) Lizy

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  2. wow, how exotic!I would love to try this, your photos of them are beautiful,

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  3. I like, no LOVE that you always put up such super cool things that you don't find easily everywhere else. I bet these are tasty.

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  4. I've never had something like this before, but it looks pretty yummy!
    Thanks for stopping by my blog this weekend! I have a bunch of crafty blog parties that I'm not always able to link up to because I didn't have time to make anything, so I know how you feel. And I love visitors!! I would NEVER say your a pain! Far from it :) You leave great comments!

    Paula
    lifeasweknowitbypaula.blogspot.com

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  5. This looks so delicious Lizy and to think I have never eaten cassava. Cassava is grown here in Jamaica and in recent years Jamaicans have been encouraged to grow more cassavas. You make me want to try some right now. I have not had breakfast yet and I am feeling hungry. Have a good week and Happy Easter.

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  6. I've always wanted to try Yuca. I couldn't find it for the life of me. I may have to hit up the farmers market.

    Thanks for the new recipe :)

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  7. Yum, you had me at carbohydrate! Thanks for sharing at A New Creation!

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  8. I've never had these before but they sound good! Im always looking for fun new recipes :) I'll have to give these a try..

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  9. YUMMY!! These look so delicious! Just pinned. Thank you so much for sharing at A Bouquet of Talent! Always thrilled to see your awesome work. Have a wonderful weekend and a Happy Easter!
    hugs
    Kathy

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  10. Lizy, you always have so many wonderful recipes! Thank you for bringing this to the In and Out of the Kitchen Link Party. I can't wait to see what you bring next week!

    Cynthia at http://FeedingBig.com

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  11. Oh my goodness! This looks delicious - wish I could take a bite through my screen ;-) Thank you for sharing at our ALL MY BLOGGY FRIENDS party !

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  12. I found this recipe at Swap 'n Share Sunday, and I absolutely love yuca, so I am definitely going to have to try these.

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