Yuca pastries are small fried croquettes popular in Latin America, particularly in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Made with a cassava dough (gluten-free), they are filled with meat, chicken, or cheese and are perfect as an appetizer or snack. Their crispy crust and soft filling make them a delicious bite. The cassava, the base ingredient of the dough, provides a unique texture and a mild flavor that complements the filling perfectly. Ideal for discovering authentic Latin flavors. I didn't fry them but cooked them in my Ninja Foodi air fryer for a healthier version.

Cassava croquettes (Pastel de Yuca),

Puerto Rico

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Difficulty: Intermediate Special regime:

Naturally gluten-free

Cooking method: Ninja Foodi

Ingredients

Servings

• 500g of grated cassava

• 250g of minced meat (beef or chicken)

• 1 chopped onion

• 1 chopped bell pepper

• 1 crushed garlic clove

• Salt, pepper, cumin (to taste)

• Vegetable oil for frying

Preparation

1. Drain the grated cassava well to remove excess water.
2. Heat a little oil in a pan and sauté the onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Add the ground meat, season with salt, pepper, and cumin, then cook until the meat is browned.
3. Take a small portion of grated cassava, flatten it in your hand and add a little stuffing to the center. Form a patty by sealing the edges.
4. Fry the pasteles in hot oil until they are golden brown.
5. Drain on paper towels before serving. For a less greasy version, you can cook them for 20 minutes in the air fryer (Ninja Foodi for me)

Keywords: Latin American cassava croquette, yuca pastel

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