My Trini Style Boiled and Fried Cassava (Yucca)

Submitted by Roxanne J.R.

"This is a recipe I have grown up eating. It is like a staple in our country and while there must be many versions out there - this is my simple and tasty version. It is great eaten alone with some ketchup and hot sauce or served with rice, stewed chicken and a green salad for a complete meal."

 

• Ready In: 50mins
• Ingredients: 7
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 lbs cassava (can use freshly peeled or frozen) or 1 1/2 lbs yucca root (can use freshly peeled or frozen)
• 1 medium onion
• 4 -5 garlic cloves (depending on taste)
• 5 roma tomatoes (very ripe)
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• salt
• water (to boil cassava or yucca root)

directions

1. Place the cassava/yucca pieces in a large pot and cover completely with water.
2. Place pot over medium heat and boil cassava/yucca pieces till they are a little more than fork tender (this may take 30 minutes or more - depending on the cassava pieces. Some take longer than others).
3. NOTE: Check the cassava while it is boiling during the 30 minutes. If it isn't soft enough but needs more water, feel free to add more.
4. While the cassava/yucca is boiling, prep other ingredients.
5. Chop one medium onion into strips, chop 4-5 garlic cloves and de-seed the roma tomatoes and chop into 8 pieces each. Place all into a bowl.
6. When cassava/yucca is soft enough, drain in a colander and place an iron pot on the heat and add in 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
7. When the oil is heated a bit, throw in the chopped onions, garlic and tomatoes. Stir these regularly for the next 3-5 minutes.
8. The onions should become soft and translucent, the garlic should be slightly soft and the tomatoes should be almost disintegrated except for the skin.
9. Add in the boiled cassava/yucca and stir well to incorporate all ingredients.
10. While incorporating, try breaking apart the cassava/yucca even more with your spoon. The end product should be semi-smooth, semi-chunky.
11. If it seems a bit dry, add in more oil - but this should not be necessary.
12. Add in salt (to your taste) and stir well to incorporate evenly.
13. Turn off heat and now you are ready eat!