Cassava Croquettes with Tamarind Dipping Sauce

“When I serve these fonio and yuca  croquettes appetizers during cocktail hour at events, some people will burn their fingers and tongues to get more. Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, they never fail to gratify.”

Yucca is a root vegetable that grows in regions with subtropical climates, like West Africa and Mexico. Also known as cassava, yucca is a dense, starchy food that’s rich in carbohydrates. It’s a good source of fiber, folate, vitamin C, and potassium. You find yuca/cassava in the produce section of most grocery stores or check with local ethnic markets. It may also be found peeled and cut in the frozen food section.

They are served with a Tamarind Glaze for dipping. Tamarind is a tropical fruit with health benefits. It’s native to Africa but also grows in India, Pakistan and many other tropical regions. The tree produces bean-like pods filled with seeds surrounded by a fibrous pulp. The pulp of the young fruit is green and sour. As it ripens, the juicy pulp becomes paste-like and more sweet-sour. The paste can be prepared from pods or purchased as blocks. If not at your local grocery store try Chinese, Asian or Indian food stores or purchase online.

This recipe is used with permission from Chef Pierre Thiam. Find more of his recipes in his book Senegal: Modern Senegalese Recipes from the Source to the Bowl and on his website.

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