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Yuca Root

Inventory, 10 lbs : 31.61
This item was last sold on : 05/06/21

• 10 Featured Restaurants

• 17 Recipe Ideas

• 24 Sharess

Description/Taste

The large tapered Yuca roots are similar in size and shape to a sweet potato and can be anywhere from one to several pounds in size and can grow up to 4 feet below the ground. The starchy flesh of the Yuca root is a light white or cream color with a grainy texture similar to potatoes. The meaty flesh is mild, sweet flavor that has a somewhat nutty taste.

Seasons/Availability

Yuca root is available year-round.

Current Facts

Yuca, pronounced YOO-ka, is the root of the Cassava plant which is known botanically as Manihot esculenta. The name of this particular South American root has caused a bit of confusion due in part to its similarity to a desert plant native to the southeastern United States, the yucca pronounced YUHK-a. The two are entirely unrelated, though the spelling is used interchangeably in texts and articles. The general rule is one ‘c’ for the tropical, starchy, South American tuber and two ‘c’s for the desert succulent. Yuca root is also referred to as Cassava, Medioc or Mandioca and Tapioca throughout the tropical regions of the world it is grown in. In the United States, the name “tapioca” most often refers to the starch and other derivatives made from the root.

Nutritional Value

Yuca root is the third largest source of carbohydrates in the world and is considered a main food staple for millions. The starchy tuber is high in calcium, dietary fiber, potassium, and vitamins B6 and C. Yuca has relatively no protein, but does contain high levels of essential fatty acids and twice the calories of potatoes. The young leaves of the Yuca plant are rich in vitamin K and have more protein and nutrients than the root. Yuca root is gluten-free and the starch made from it is easily digested by anyone with dietary sensitivities. Yuca has been found to contain goitrogens, which are substances found in other cruciferous vegetables like cabbage that can block the intake of iodine by the thyroid. The presence of the goitrogens can increase the levels of iodine deficiency in areas where the Yuca root is the primary source of energy.

Applications

Yuca has been referred to as the most versatile vegetable by some, including cookbook author and journalist Steven Raichlen. Due to compounds present in raw Yuca, the root must be cooked prior to consumption. Yuca can be used just like potatoes in many dishes, it can be boiled and pureed, mashed and roasted. A popular application for Yuca in Columbia and Venezuela is fries. The root is cut into long, thick slices and is boiled first to a translucent state and cooled before frying. Yuca is used in a traditional Brazilian dish called “bollos pelones” – the root is peeled and boiled then chilled. The cool root is grated into a mash and made into hollow balls so they can be filled with meats or cheeses and fried. In Ghana and other parts of Africa, Cassava is used to make a traditional dish called fu-fu. Yuca is soaked in water for a few days (which can ferment the root for other uses like beverages) and then mashed with a mortar and pestle and wrapped in banana leaves. The packets are steamed and served like bread with stews and soups or on its own. Yuca root stores well and can be kept refrigerated or in a cool pantry for up to a month; it can be stored underground for a longer period. Prepared Yuca root should be used within a day.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

In northern Brazil, Yuca is used to make a dish referred to as ‘tapioca’ made from the starch of the Yuca root. Tapioca starch is mixed with water for a sand-like consistency and is then spooned into a heated non-stick frying pan and spread out to make a crepe. The tapioca mixture sets, gets flipped, then is topped with cheese, chocolate, fruits, and more, and folded over to make a little pocket. Also in Brazil, a dessert made from tapioca starch and coconut called “cuscuz branco”; the name translates to “white pudding”. Often the tapioca starch is homemade by blending the root with water to create a paste, which is then dried and rubbed over a mesh strainer to produce a powder. The starch is mixed with sugar and coconut shreds then a mixture of milk, coconut milk and sweetened condensed milk is first boiled then poured over the tapioca and coconut mixture. After the wet and dry ingredients have been combined, the dish is covered and left at room temperature until it sets. The finished dessert is topped with more shredded coconut and is traditionally served during winter holidays. In Peru, masato is an alcoholic beverage made by locals, who masticate the root and then spit the chewed root into jars, where it sits for several days to ferment. This is a beverage offered to guests and refusal can mean social suicide.

Geography/History

Yuca is a highly drought-resistant crop, and is a mainstay in the diets of millions of people living in tropical and sub-tropical regions around the globe. It is a good crop for regions where rain is unpredictable and potentially scarce. Brazil, Nigeria and Thailand are the predominant producers of Yuca in the world. Native to South America and parts of the Caribbean, the name “Tapioca” comes from the Tupi word tipi’oka. Tupi was the language of the natives living in Brazil when the Portuguese explorers first came to the Americas. The word tipi’oka refers to the process of making starch from the tuber. The root is still referred to as Tapioca in northeast Brazil, whereas Madioca and Aipim are more common names for Yuca in northern and central Brazil. In the United States, Yuca is commonly known as Cassava, most likely to distinguish it from the desert yucca plant.

Featured Restaurants

Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.

Sabuku Sushi	San Diego CA
UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla	San Diego CA	808-868-8639
Coya Peruvian Secret	Del Mar CA	619-295-3172
UCSD Food & Nutrition Department Hillcrest	San Diego CA	619-380-9840
Kettner Exchange	San Diego CA	909-915-9877
Petco Park (PCL) - Delaware North	San Diego CA	619-795-5917
Dija Mara	Oceanside CA	760-231-5376
Qero	Encinitas CA	702-334-8845
Tom Hams Light House	San Diego CA	619-291-9110
The Glen at Scripps Ranch	San Diego CA	858-444-8500

Recipe Ideas

Recipes that include Yuca Root. One

is easiest, three is harder.

Aunt Clara's Kitchen		Empanaditas de Yuca
Predominantly Paleo		Paleo Pizza Crust
Immaculate Bites		Cassava FuFu
The Paleo Mom		Paleo Biscuits
Immaculate Bites		Alcapurrias
Delicious Obsessions		Paleo Egg Rolls
Predominantly Paleo		Paleo Pop Tarts
Aunt Clara's Kitchen		Bollitos de Yuca (Cheese Filled Cassava Balls)
Easy Yummy Cookery		Cassava Pudding
Life Ajar		Yuca Gnocchi

the other 7...

May I Have That Recipe?		Yuca Cups with Guacamole
Healing Tomato		Quinoa Veggie Boats with Yucca Root
No Recipes		Yuca with Yogurt Mojo
Empowered Sustenance		Paleo Strawberry Shortcake Bites
Living Sweet Moments		Grilled Yuca with Mojo Sauce
My Tan Feet		Cassava Pie
Aunt Clara's Kitchen		Vegan Root Stew

Recently Shared

People have shared Yuca Root using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.

Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.

Supermercado Mercandú Medellín

Supermercado Mercandu
Via santa Elena Calle 10A N36A Este-163 Km12 Medellin Antioquia
574-538-2142

Near Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia
About 430 days ago, 3/03/20
Sharer's comments : La yuca es perfecta para elaborar platos exquisitos gracias a su sabor y textura

Supermercado Jumbo Santa Fe

Jumbo Santa Fe
Cra 43A N 7 Sur - 170
480-0320
https://www.tiendasjumbo.co/supermercado/santafe

Near Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia
About 434 days ago, 2/28/20
Sharer's comments : Un ingrediente versátil, típico de la gastronomía en las costas Colombianas, como la carimañola o el sancocho popular