Puerto Rican yuca balls, also known as alcapurrias de yuca, are a delicious and traditional Puerto Rican appetizer made from yuca, a starchy root vegetable. These balls are filled with a savory meat filling and then fried until crispy and golden brown. They are perfect for any party or gathering and will surely be a crowd-pleaser.
Prep Time
Prepping the yuca can take around 30 minutes, while preparing the filling can take another 30 minutes. The whole recipe can take about an hour and a half.
Cook Time
The cook time for the Puerto Rican yuca balls is approximately 20 minutes.
Ingredients
For the yuca balls:
1 pound of yuca
1/4 cup of vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
1 cup of all-purpose flour
1/2 cup of water
For the filling:
1/2 pound of ground beef
1/2 cup of tomato sauce
1/4 cup of sofrito
1/4 cup of olives, chopped
1/4 cup of raisins
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
1/4 teaspoon of cumin
Equipment
Large pot
Large mixing bowl
Frying pan
Slotted spoon
Method
1. Peel the yuca and cut it into chunks. 2. Boil the yuca in a large pot for about 20-25 minutes, or until it is soft. 3. Drain the yuca and mash it in a large mixing bowl. 4. Add the vegetable oil, salt, garlic powder, and black pepper to the mashed yuca and mix well. 5. In a separate bowl, mix the flour and water to create a dough. 6. Take a small handful of the yuca mixture and form it into a ball. 7. Make an indentation in the ball and fill it with a spoonful of the meat filling. 8. Cover the filling with more yuca mixture and form it into a ball shape. 9. Repeat until all of the yuca and filling is used. 10. Heat the frying pan with vegetable oil over medium-high heat. 11. Fry the yuca balls in the oil for about 5-7 minutes, or until they are golden brown. 12. Use a slotted spoon to remove the yuca balls from the oil and place them on a paper towel to drain excess oil. 13. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
Make sure to drain the yuca well before mashing it to avoid a watery mixture. Also, be careful when frying the yuca balls as the oil can splatter.
Nutrition Info
One serving size of Puerto Rican yuca balls (2 balls) contains approximately 280 calories, 16g of fat, 27g of carbohydrates, and 9g of protein.
Recipes FAQ
What is sofrito?
Sofrito is a mixture of finely chopped onions, peppers, garlic, and cilantro. It is commonly used as a base for many Puerto Rican dishes.
Can I use ground pork instead of beef?
Yes, ground pork can be used as a substitute for ground beef in the filling.
Recipe Tips
Make sure to fully cook the meat filling before adding it to the yuca balls. Also, if you prefer a spicier filling, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes. Lastly, these yuca balls can be frozen and reheated in the oven for a quick and easy snack.
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