One form of food that is eaten all over the world is bread. You may not always recognize it as such, but whether it's the pitas of the Mediterranean region, the naan of India or the tortillas of Latin America, it's still bread, one of the most versatile foods there is. Next time you want to prepare a simple yet exotic meal, add some cassava bread for a Caribbean touch.
Cassava is a plant that is native to the region of the Caribbean. It's found in parts of South America too. It has many uses but the main one is to use its root as a source of food. The root is long and thin and covered in a brown skin that has a rough texture but the inside is a yellowy or white flesh that is very nutritious.
The starchy flesh of the root has been a staple food in the Caribbean, Central America and parts of South America for many centuries. When the Portuguese and Spanish explorers came to the region, they took some of the so-called New World foods back to Europe. These included corn, tomatoes and potatoes. Cassava found its way across the Atlantic too and became a staple food in the tropical regions of Africa and Asia, where its production now surpasses that in the Americas.
'Pan de casabe' is still very much a Caribbean food, however. It's synonymous with Dominican cuisine, for instance. It's usually eaten in the form of a flatbread, similar to a tortilla. Enjoy it with toppings like avocado, eggs, beans or vegetables or simply sprinkle it with salt and olive oil. Toast it to make croutons, eat it with dips like you would eat nacho chips or smother it in melted cheese for a new take on pizza.
Dominican cuisine would be unimaginable without 'pan de casabe' and it's not only because of the food's versatility but also because it's so nutritious. It's packed with phosphorus, calcium and Vitamin C and its carbohydrate content means that it's a great source of energy. Because it's so low in sodium and fat, it's a healthy option too.
Making 'pan de casabe' requires that you first process the flesh. Start by peeling the root and then grating the flesh to a pulp. The next step is to squeeze out as much of the liquid from the pulp as you can. This is a very important step because the liquid is poisonous.
The pulp is now shaped into thin patties. Some people add salt to the pulp first. You can shape the patties by hand or use a special mold instead. When they're ready, place them in a hot frying pan but don't add oil. Let them cook on both sides until they're golden in color. The breads harden to become crispy when they cool.
Cassava bread is available online but is a little more difficult to find in local stores. Specialty stores may stock it and you'll likely find it in neighborhoods with a large Dominican or Jamaican population. Another option is to simply take some time off, buy a ticket to the Caribbean and enjoy it right there on the beach.
Cassava is a plant that is native to the region of the Caribbean. It's found in parts of South America too. It has many uses but the main one is to use its root as a source of food. The root is long and thin and covered in a brown skin that has a rough texture but the inside is a yellowy or white flesh that is very nutritious.
The starchy flesh of the root has been a staple food in the Caribbean, Central America and parts of South America for many centuries. When the Portuguese and Spanish explorers came to the region, they took some of the so-called New World foods back to Europe. These included corn, tomatoes and potatoes. Cassava found its way across the Atlantic too and became a staple food in the tropical regions of Africa and Asia, where its production now surpasses that in the Americas.
'Pan de casabe' is still very much a Caribbean food, however. It's synonymous with Dominican cuisine, for instance. It's usually eaten in the form of a flatbread, similar to a tortilla. Enjoy it with toppings like avocado, eggs, beans or vegetables or simply sprinkle it with salt and olive oil. Toast it to make croutons, eat it with dips like you would eat nacho chips or smother it in melted cheese for a new take on pizza.
Dominican cuisine would be unimaginable without 'pan de casabe' and it's not only because of the food's versatility but also because it's so nutritious. It's packed with phosphorus, calcium and Vitamin C and its carbohydrate content means that it's a great source of energy. Because it's so low in sodium and fat, it's a healthy option too.
Making 'pan de casabe' requires that you first process the flesh. Start by peeling the root and then grating the flesh to a pulp. The next step is to squeeze out as much of the liquid from the pulp as you can. This is a very important step because the liquid is poisonous.
The pulp is now shaped into thin patties. Some people add salt to the pulp first. You can shape the patties by hand or use a special mold instead. When they're ready, place them in a hot frying pan but don't add oil. Let them cook on both sides until they're golden in color. The breads harden to become crispy when they cool.
Cassava bread is available online but is a little more difficult to find in local stores. Specialty stores may stock it and you'll likely find it in neighborhoods with a large Dominican or Jamaican population. Another option is to simply take some time off, buy a ticket to the Caribbean and enjoy it right there on the beach.
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