Muchines de yuca are tasty cassava balls with a crunchy outside protecting a soft, savory filling. Serve as an appetizer or as a side dish topped with little ají hot pepper sauce.
Muchines de Yuca
Course: Appetizers, VegetablesCuisine: Ecuador12
muchinesMuchines de yuca are tasty cassava balls with a crunchy outside protecting a soft, savory filling. Serve as an appetizer or as a side dish topped with little ají hot pepper sauce.
Ingredients
- For the filling
Oil — 2 tablespoons
Onion, minced — 1/2
Parsley, minced — 1 tablespoon
Cilantro, minced — 1 tablespoon
Ground pork — 1/2 pound
Ground cumin — 1/4 teaspoon
Salt — 1/4 teaspoon
- For the muchines
Yuca (cassava), peeled and grated — 1 pound
Onion, grated — 1
Egg — 1
Salt and pepper — to taste
Oil for frying
Directions
- Heat the oil in a skillet over medium flame. Saute the onion, parsley and cilantro in the oil until the onion is translucent.
- Add the pork, cumin and salt and saute, breaking up meat, until the meat is cooked through. Add about 2 tablespoons of water and cook until mostly evaporated. Adjust seasoning to taste and set aside to cool.
- In a large bowl, mix together the yuca, onion, egg, salt and pepper.
- Place about 1/4 cup of the yuca mix in one hand and form a depression in the middle with your thumb. Place about 1 tablespoon of filling in the depression and fold the yuca over to enclose it. Form the yuca into an egg-shaped ball and squeeze out any excess moisture. Set aside and repeat with the rest of the yuca and filling.
- Heat oil 1 to 2 inches of oil in a skillet, deep pot or deep fryer over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add 3 to 4 muchines balls at a time and fry until golden brown and cooked through, about 3 to 5 minutes. Turn midway to brown both sides.
- Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and serve hot.
Muchines de Yuca Notes and Variations
- Cheese Filling: Use 1 cup of grated jack, mozzarella, Swiss or any melting cheese you prefer.lt and pepper.
- Optional: A chopped hard-boiled egg may be stirred into the meat or cheese filling if you like.
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