Baked Yucca Fries
RECIPE
Servings 2-4| Prep Time 30 minutes| Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
INGREDIENTS
24 oz. Bag of Frozen Yucca (or 3-4 fresh large yucca)*
DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
If you’re using frozen yucca, do not defrost beforehand - just use directly from the bag; if you’re using fresh yucca, you will have to remove the waxy skin by peeling or using a knife and then cut the yucca into medium size pieces (you will be able to cut them into smaller pieces after boiling).
Place the yucca pieces into the boiling water and boil on simmering heat for approximately 20-30 minutes. The yucca pieces should begin look almost translucent and will be easily pierced with a toothpick or skewer. If after you remove the pieces they seem too hard or do not seem cooked through, you can put them back in the boiling water again until they are ready. To remove and drain the yucca once it is done, I use a large stainless steel spatula with holes in it. Do not rinse the yucca before proceeding.
Cut the yucca into medium sized pieces, to your liking. I like to make them look like thick french fries.
Pour approximately 3 -4 T of olive oil onto a large sheet pan.. Place all of the cut up yucca pieces on the sheet pan and move them around being sure to coat each piece on all sides. (Add more oil, if necessary, but only just enough to coat each piece). Using approximately 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt, generously salt all of yucca pieces.
Bake at 450 degrees F. on the middle rack. Let them bake for 10-15 minutes and then use a metal spatula to flip each one of them over, scraping the pan, as needed to make sure they are turned and not sticking.
Bake an additional 15 minutes.
For crispy yucca fries, flip them again and return to oven for an additional 5-10 minutes.
I suggest only using fresh yucca from your grocery store if you think you will have the strength to cut them; I prefer using the frozen yucca because I have too often bought yucca from the grocery store that was old. If the yucca has any black spots in it or smells like amonia, do use it)
