Yuca con Mojo (Cuban Boiled Cassava with Garlic Sauce)
Local name: Yuca con mojo
In short: Tender boiled cassava topped with warm mojo, a sauce of garlic, sour orange juice and olive oil. The classic side for roast pork and beans. It takes about 45 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 380 kcal
Yuca con mojo is a plain, comforting side that sits beside roast pork on Cuban tables, especially at Nochebuena. The cassava (yuca) is boiled until soft and creamy inside, then drenched in warm mojo: garlic cooked briefly in olive oil, with sour orange or lime juice and salt. The sauce soaks into the starchy root. Peel the yuca carefully and remove the woody core, because that part stays hard no matter how long it boils.
Instructions
- If using fresh yuca, cut it into 7 cm (3 inch) pieces and peel off the thick brown skin and the pink layer beneath it. Cut each piece in half lengthwise, remove the woody core, then cut into chunks.
- Put the yuca in a pot, cover with cold water by 5 cm (2 inches) and add 2 tsp salt. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, until a fork slides in easily and the pieces begin to split.
- While the yuca cooks, warm the olive oil in a small pan over low heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, just until fragrant and pale gold. Do not let it brown.
- Take the pan off the heat. Carefully pour in the sour orange juice, which will spit, then add the salt and oregano.
- Drain the yuca and arrange it on a platter. Spoon the warm mojo over the top, with the onion slices if using, and serve at once.
Tips
- Frozen peeled yuca is sold in most Latin markets and saves the peeling. Cook it straight from frozen in the same way, allowing 5 extra minutes.
- For a crisp version, drain the boiled yuca, dry it well and fry it in hot oil until golden before adding the mojo.
Questions and answers
Do I need to remove the center of the yuca?
Yes. The thin, woody cord through the middle stays tough after cooking. Cut each piece open and pull it out before you boil.
What can I use instead of sour orange juice?
Mix equal parts fresh orange juice and lime juice. It is close in flavor and widely used outside Cuba.
Can I make yuca con mojo ahead of time?
Boil the yuca up to a day ahead and refrigerate it. Reheat it in simmering water, drain, and pour freshly warmed mojo over it before serving.
How long does it take to make Yuca con Mojo (Cuban Boiled Cassava with Garlic Sauce)?
About 45 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Yuca con Mojo (Cuban Boiled Cassava with Garlic Sauce)?
About 380 kcal per serving, with 2 g of protein, 53 g of carbohydrates and 18 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 380 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 53 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 380 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
