Crispy Homemade Yuca Fries for Every Occasion!
If you were to ask me what my favorite root vegetable is, I would confidently say – Yuca! Yuca is a starchy root vegetable that hails from Latin America and the Caribbean. You may even know it by its other name – cassava.ย
Now if you can make a dish using potatoes, then chances are that you can also use Yuca. For example, you can make crispy homemade yuca fries for every occasion! In fact, I much prefer yuca fries to regular fries because theyโre tastier and get crispier.
If youโve never had yuca, then I strongly encourage you to give it a try. Much like potatoes and other starchy vegetables, yuca doesnโt have a strong flavor. It pairs well with many sauces and dips. In fact, Yuca con Mojo is one of my favorite ways of enjoying yuca. In that recipe, the yuca is perfectly boiled in salted water and then served with sauteed onions and garlic.ย
Much like Yuca con Mojo, Yuca Fries start off by boiling the yuca in salted water. Once the yuca is firm and 85% of the way cooked, you drain the water and pat them dry. You then fry the yuca until theyโre crispy. For maximum crispiness, you can even double fry the yuca.
Yuca Fries are just like french fries. You can dress them in fun sauces or you can dip them in ketchup. The major difference between the two is that yuca fries are typically thick even more so than steak fries. If you like tostones, then yuca fries will be right up your alley!ย
Lastly, you can make yuca fries ahead of time especially if youโre hosting. The trick is to boil the yuca ahead of time and set them off to the side. Itโs important that you keep yuca dry and not overcook them. Although mashed yuca is also just as tasty!
Nonetheless, if you make the yuca fries ahead of time, itโs best to fry them just before serving them. Theyโre best when served hot with your favorite dipping sauce or a freshly squeezed lime. Even chimichurri sauce goes great with yuca fries!ย
If you’re a yuca lover as much as me, make sure that you try some of other favorite yuca recipes like Chulitos de Yuca and Arepitas de Yuca. Buen provecho!
Ingredients
- 2 Fresh Yuca
- 2 tbsp Kosher Salt
- 6 - 8 cups Water
- Oil for Frying
Instructions
- Peel yuca and remove center vein. Cut yuca into 4-6 inch thick elongated pieces
- Rinse peeled and cut yuca and add to large stockpot or dutch oven with kosher salt. Bring water to boil and cook yuca for 10-15 mins. Make sure that yuca is still firm
- Once yuca is cooked, drain boiling water and set yuca off to the side. Let yuca sit for 10 minutes while frying oil heats up
- When the oil reaches 375F, carefully add yuca and fry until the outside becomes crispy and light golden yellow. For extra crispiness, remove fried yuca and let rest before frying again.
- Sprinkle kosher salt while warm and enjoy with your favorite dip or fresh lime