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Yuca-frita-con-mojo-in-blue-bowl-with-yellow-cloth

Yuca Frita con Mojo

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Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Resting Time 2 hours
Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine Cuban
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

For Mojo:

  • 1/4 cup sour orange juice
  • 1/4 cup high quality olive oil
  • 4 cloves minced garlic (about 1 packed tbsp)
  • 1/4 tsp oregano
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • dash of pepper

For Yuca:

  • 1 yuca root (about 1.5 lbs)
  • canola or other neutral frying oil

Instructions
 

Make Mojo:

  • At least 2 hours before you plan to eat, or preferably the day before, mix all of the mojo ingredients together in a small bowl. Cover and place in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Prepare Yuca:

  • Generously salt a large pot of water, as you would when cooking pasta. Bring to a boil.
  • Using your sturdiest potato peeler, remove all of the yuca's brown peel and any purplish flesh you may find underneath. Cut into 2-3 large chunks.
  • Boil for 40-45 minutes, topping off the water as necessary. You'll know your yuca is done when it is fork-tender and has separated into individual pieces.
  • Use a slotted spoon to remove yuca from water and place on a baking pan to cool. When it reaches a workable temperature, finish separating the individual pieces from each other and from the reedy core in the middle. They should separate fairly naturally into individual pieces, and it's ok for them to be asymmetrical. Dispose of the core.

Fry Yuca and Finish:

  • Pour about an inch of canola (or other neutrally flavored frying oil) into the bottom of a dutch oven, cast iron, or other heavy-bottomed pot. Heat until extremely hot - you want your oil to be about 375 degrees. If your oil is hot enough, it will bubble very vigorously when you add the yuca.
  • Fry in batches of 5-8 pieces, depending on size, making sure not to overcrowd the pot. Turn occasionally, frying until a deep, beautiful gold; about 8-11 minutes. I always find it takes longer to achieve this color than I think it should, so be patient!
  • Remove from oil and drain on paper towels. Repeat these steps with the remaining batches of yuca pieces.
  • After you have fried all of the yuca, place in a large serving bowl and pour mojo sauce over the top. Serve immediately.
Keyword Cuban fried yuca, fried yuca, Yuca Frita, yuca fritters