Description
Golden and crispy on the outside with a soft center, these Caribbean yucca cakes are made from starchy cassava and flavored with herbs, spices, and a zesty garlic lime mojo. A perfect appetizer, snack, or side dish with bold tropical flavor.
Ingredients
2 pounds fresh yucca (cassava), peeled and cut into chunks
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 egg (optional, for binding)
1/4 cup gluten-free flour (optional, for texture)
Vegetable oil for frying
4 garlic cloves, finely minced
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
Juice of 2 limes
Salt to taste
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Boil the yucca in salted water for 25–30 minutes until fork-tender. Drain and remove the fibrous core.
- While warm, mash the yucca until smooth and let it cool slightly.
- Mix in salt, pepper, cilantro, green onions, and smoked paprika. Add egg and gluten-free flour if needed to bind.
- Shape the mixture into small patties about 2–3 inches wide.
- Heat a thin layer of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Fry the patties in batches for 3–4 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Drain on paper towels.
- For the mojo sauce, heat olive oil over low heat and cook garlic and cumin until fragrant, about 1–2 minutes.
- Remove from heat, stir in lime juice, salt, and chopped cilantro.
- Drizzle the warm mojo over the hot yucca cakes before serving.
Notes
Add shredded cheese like mozzarella or cheddar to the mixture for a cheesy twist.
For a spicy kick, mix in chopped jalapeños or chili flakes.
Swap cilantro with parsley or oregano for a different herb flavor.
To bake instead of fry, place on a parchment-lined tray at 400°F (200°C) for 20–25 minutes, flipping halfway.
Make mini cakes for party appetizers and serve with mojo on the side.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage. Reheat in skillet, oven, or air fryer.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Caribbean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cake
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
