Yuca cakes are a Puerto Rican Christmas tradition. Made with a soft grated yuca dough and filled with seasoned meat, they are wrapped in plantain leaves and slow-cooked.
Yuca cakes are a delicacy of Caribbean cuisine, perfect for celebrating Christmas.
Although they require dedication, their authentic flavor and unique texture make them unforgettable for sharing with family during the festivities. The recipe combines traditional ingredients like achiote, coconut milk, and spices, resulting in a dish full of aromas and bright colors that represent the warmth of the Caribbean.
Yuca Cakes
Ingredients
4 pounds of Grated yuca
1 cup of Achiote oil
1 cup of Coconut milk
1 ½ pound of Ground meat
1 teaspoon of Dried oregano
2 Crushed garlic cloves
1 Chopped onion
½ Chopped red pepper
2 tablespoons of Tomato paste
2 tablespoons of Achiote oil
1 pinch of Salt
1 pinch of Pepper
Fire-treated plantain leaves
Kitchen string
Preparation
Step 1 : Sauté the meat in achiote oil and add garlic, onion, and pepper, cooking for 10 minutes.
Step 2 : Add tomato paste, oregano, salt, and pepper, and simmer for 20 minutes, then set aside.
Step 3 : Grate the yuca, squeeze out excess water, and mix with achiote oil, coconut milk, and salt until you get a soft, doughy mixture.
Step 4 : Prepare a plantain leaf and spread two tablespoons of dough on it, forming an even layer.
Step 5 : Add a spoonful of filling in the center and cover with more dough to shape the cake.
Step 6 : Fold the leaf to form a rectangular package and tie with kitchen string to secure.
Step 7 : Bring water with salt to a boil in a large pot and cook the wrapped cakes submerged for 45 to 60 minutes until cooked and firm.
Step 8 : Remove the cakes, let cool a bit, and enjoy them in your Christmas celebration.
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