Mandioca Frita (Angolan Fried Cassava)
Local name: Mandioca frita
In short: Cassava sticks boiled until tender, then fried until golden and crisp outside and fluffy inside, served with hot pepper sauce. It takes about 55 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Total
- 55 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 390 kcal
Mandioca frita is fried cassava, crisp outside and dense and fluffy inside, and one of the most common sides in Angola. It comes beside grilled fish, with muamba, or as a snack with hot pepper sauce. Boiling the cassava first cooks it through and guarantees a creamy middle, then a quick fry makes the outside crunchy. Use fresh cassava with firm, white flesh.
Instructions
- Cut the cassava into 8 cm (3 inch) lengths. Stand each piece on its end and slice off the thick brown skin and the pink layer under it. Cut each piece in half and remove the woody core.
- Cut the cassava into sticks about 1.5 cm (1/2 inch) thick.
- Boil the sticks in the salted water for 10 to 12 minutes, until just tender when pierced but not falling apart. Cassava must be cooked through.
- Drain well and spread on a tray lined with paper towels. Let them dry for 10 minutes.
- Heat the oil to 175°C (350°F) in a deep, heavy pot. Fry the cassava in 3 batches for 5 to 6 minutes, until deep golden and crisp.
- Drain on paper towels, sprinkle with salt and serve hot, with hot sauce on the side.
Tips
- Dry the boiled cassava well. Wet sticks spatter in the oil and turn out soft instead of crisp.
- Frozen peeled cassava works, too. Boil it straight from the freezer for 8 to 10 minutes, then dry and fry.
Questions and answers
Why must cassava be boiled first?
Boiling cooks the starchy center evenly and removes any raw bitterness. Raw cassava is also not safe to eat, so it should always be fully cooked.
Can I bake or air-fry the cassava?
Yes. Toss the boiled, dried sticks with 2 tablespoons of oil and roast at 220°C (425°F) for 25 to 30 minutes, turning halfway.
What do you eat fried cassava with?
Grilled fish, grilled chicken, muamba and hot pepper sauce are the classic partners. It also works as a snack on its own, much like fries.
How long does it take to make Mandioca Frita (Angolan Fried Cassava)?
About 55 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Mandioca Frita (Angolan Fried Cassava)?
About 390 kcal per serving, with 2 g of protein, 61 g of carbohydrates and 15 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 390 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 61 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 300 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
