The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language describes cassava as a tropical American plant with a starchy root from which tapioca is derived. To us Latinos from the Caribbean, it’s yuka (yoo-ka). Yuka is most commonly served peeled and boiled with a bit of olive oil sprinkled on top. But it also yields a bitter or sweet starch known as manioc which is used in the making of farina and, of course, tapioca. For those interested in arcane terminology, manioc is a word of Tupian origin, attributed to the Tupis, a group of American Indian tribes living along the coast of Brazil and the Amazon River valley. To explorers from the Old World, this new food was a wonder.
Ingredients:
2 pounds yuka, peeled and cut into large chunks
1 tablespoon ground turmeric mixed with 2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
½ teaspoon ground cumin
2 cloves garlic, peeled and finely minced
1/2 cup cilantro leaves, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
Vegetable oil for frying
Directions:
- Finely grate the yuca with a shredder or food processor. Rinse in a colander with cold water. Drain, pressing with the hand to remove as much excess moisture as possible. Place in a bowl, add turmeric/olive oil mix, and salt. Mix well, and set aside.
- Heat oil in a large skillet or fry pan. Add beef and stir fry over medium heat until meat loses its color. Add coriander, cumin, garlic. cilantro, onion, and tomato sauce. Sauté 3-4 minutes.
- Simmer on low heat, uncovered for 15 minutes. Add 3 tablespoons lukewarm water and cook, covered, another 15 minutes.
- Place ¼ cup yuca mix on a plate or large sheet of wax paper. Spread the mix to form a circle. Place a tablespoon of beef filling in the center. Bring edges together to close filling and shape into a cylinder or croquette. Repeat until filling and yuca are filled up.
- Deep-fry in hot oil until golden brown (about 4 minutes each). Remove and drain on paper towels.
Yield: about 8 to 10 alcapurrias, depending on size.
Cooking with Oswald Rivera
Uploaded on Jul 18, 2013
Alcapurrias De Yuca , Stuffed Cassava. One of the Great Delights of Puerto Rican Cuisine. Not to be missed !
Caribbean cooking, Latin cooking, Holiday foods, Puerto Rican cooking,
Available in my book: https://www.amazon.com/Puerto-Rican-Cuisine-America-Nuyorican/dp/1568582447
Oswald Rivera’s Blog http://oswaldatlarge.blogspot.com/ is a wonderful place to get new food ideas and recipes.