Yuca Fries

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What is Yuca?

Pronounced YOO-KA, this is a root vegetable similar in shape or size to a sweet potato, usually a little longer. Let’s call them a potato’s cousin. This carbohydrate shares a common texture as a potato as well. They are little sweet and nutty in flavor, and a native root of South America. You can find them in the produce aisle or even better, ones that are already peeled and ready to go in the frozen section. You prepare them just like a potato, except you should not be eating their skin. The best yuca I have tried is always from latin recipes. Funny story, one of my best friends is Cuban and when we were younger, her mom always made yuca or plantains with dinner and I would never want to eat them because they were so different looking than the Italian dishes I was used to at home.  Now I love them both and often find myself cooking Cuban recipes in my own kitchen!

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Ingredients:

  • 1 pound frozen yuca (or fresh)

  • Coconut oil or spray

  • Sea salt

Instructions:

  • If you are using fresh yuca, make sure to use a sharp knife to peel the skin off then discard.

  1. Fill a medium sized pot with water and bring to a boil. Add yuca and cook for 10 minutes. Drain and let cool.

  2. Preheat your oven to 425 or if using your air fryer, preheat for 3-5 minutes at 380.

  3. Cut yuca into thin fry like shapes. Set aside.

  4. For oven: line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then toss the yuca fries in a ¼ cup of melted coconut oil. Spread the yuca on baking sheet in a thin layer, bake for 20-30 minutes until browned and crispy. Sprinkle with sea salt and serve hot.

  5. For the air fryer: use a non-aerosol coconut spray to spray inside the air fryer basket (or you can lightly toss in coconut oil). Place yuca in the air fryer and set timer for 12-15 minutes. Toss in basket halfway through. They should be crispy on the outside but soft on the inside.

  6. Sprinkle with salt then serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.

We’d love to see your finished product! Post your picture on Instagram, tag us @danimade.kitchen and hashtag it #danimade

Air Fryer, VegetablesDanielle SimoneComment