Pasteles de yuca are small fried croquettes popular in Latin America, particularly Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Made with cassava dough (gluten-free), they are stuffed with meat, chicken or cheese and are perfect as a starter or aperitif. Their crust is crispy and their filling is soft which makes it a delicious bite. Cassava, the basic ingredient of the dough, provides a different texture and a mild taste that goes perfectly with the stuffing. Ideal for discovering Latin flavors in an authentic way. I didn't fry them but cooked them in my air fryer, Ninja Foodi for a healthier version.
Ingredients
Preparation
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Drain the grated cassava well to remove excess water.
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Heat a little oil in a pan and brown the onion, pepper and garlic. Add the minced meat, season with salt, pepper, and cumin, then cook until the meat is browned.
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Take a small portion of grated cassava, flatten it in your hand and add a little stuffing in the center. Form a pâté by sealing the edges.
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Fry the pasteles in hot oil until golden brown.
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Drain on absorbent paper before serving. For a less fatty version, you can cook them for 20 minutes in air fry mode, in your air fryer (Ninja Foodi for me)
Latin American cassava croquette, yuca pastel
