Crispy Cassava Fritters with Honey Drizzle

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) mandioca (cassava or yuca) 500g (1.1 lb) mandioca (cassava or yuca)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• Vegetable oil, for frying Vegetable oil, for frying
• Honey, for drizzling Honey, for drizzling

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 35g, 5g
• Protein: 2g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 0.6g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Peel the mandioca and grate it using a box grater.
2. 2.
   Place the grated mandioca in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out any excess moisture.
3. 3.
   In a large bowl, combine the grated mandioca, chopped onion, minced garlic, parsley, salt, black pepper, paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using). Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
4. 4.
   Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or skillet over medium-high heat.
5. 5.
   Take small portions of the mandioca mixture and shape them into small fritters, about the size of a golf ball.
6. 6.
   Carefully place the fritters into the hot oil and fry until golden brown and crispy, about 3-4 minutes per side.
7. 7.
   Remove the fritters from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
8. 8.
   Drizzle the crispy fritters with honey just before serving.
9. 9.
   Serve the Bolinhos de Mandioca warm and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Mandioca (cassava or yuca) — Make sure to remove the tough outer skin before grating. Squeezing out the excess moisture from the grated mandioca is important to achieve the right texture for the fritters.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra kick of flavor, add a pinch of ground cumin or chili powder to the mandioca mixture.
• Serve the fritters with a side of spicy salsa or a tangy yogurt dip for a delicious variation.
• If you prefer a sweeter version, you can dust the fritters with powdered sugar instead of drizzling them with honey.
• Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying the fritters to ensure they turn out crispy.
• Leftover fritters can be reheated in the oven for a few minutes to regain their crispiness.

Serving advice

Serve the Crispy Cassava Fritters as an appetizer or snack. They are best enjoyed warm and can be served with a side of salsa, yogurt dip, or simply on their own.

Presentation advice

Arrange the golden fritters on a platter and drizzle them with honey just before serving. Garnish with a sprig of fresh parsley or a sprinkle of paprika for an added touch of color.