Salvadoran FoodSalvadoran yuca and dried fish croquettes with avocado cream and citrus cabbage slaw
Crisp on the outside and tender inside, these croquettes are made with cooked yuca and shredded dried fish, inspired by traditional Salvadoran flavors. They are served with a fresh avocado cream and a quick citrus cabbage slaw for bright contrast.
Ingredients
- 600 g yuca, peeled and cut into chunks (for cocer and machacar)
- 180 g salted dried fish (enjuagado and desmenuzado)
- 120 g white onion, finely chopped (divided entre croquetas and curtido)
- 9 g garlic, minced (divided)
- 30 g green chile, chopped (without semillas if desired menos picante)
- 16 g fresh cilantro, chopped (divided)
- 1 unit egg (for ligar the mezcla)
- 40 g corn flour (for dar estructura)
- 60 ml vegetable oil (for frying en pan)
- 200 g ripe avocado (for the cream)
- 120 ml Salvadoran cream (for the cream of aguacate)
- 60 ml orange juice (for the curtido)
- 30 ml lime juice (divided entre cream and curtido)
- 180 g cabbage, finely shredded (for the curtido)
- 70 g carrot, grated (for the curtido)
- 1 g dried oregano (for the curtido)
- 4 g salt (to taste, usar with moderation por the pescado dry)
- 1 g black pepper (freshly ground)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
1. Place the yuca in a pot with enough water and cook over medium heat until very tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain, remove any tough core fibers, and mash while still hot until you have a thick puree.
- 2
2. While the yuca cooks, rinse the dried fish under cold water to remove excess salt. Place it in a saucepan with fresh water, bring to a gentle boil, and cook for 8 minutes. Drain, let cool slightly, and shred carefully, removing any bones if needed.
- 3
3. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil (15 ml / 1 tbsp) in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté 60 g (1/2 cup) of the white onion, 6 g (2 cloves) of garlic, and the green chile for 3 to 4 minutes, until the onion looks translucent. Add the shredded fish, black pepper, and 8 g (1/4 cup) cilantro; cook 2 more minutes and remove from the heat.
- 4
4. In a large bowl, mix the mashed yuca with the fish sauté, egg, corn flour, and 2 g (about 1/3 tsp) salt if needed. Mix well until a firm, shapeable dough forms.
- 5
5. Divide the mixture into 8 portions and shape compact oval croquettes. If the mixture feels too soft, let it rest for 5 minutes so the corn flour can absorb moisture.
- 6
6. For the slaw, combine the cabbage, carrot, the remaining 60 g (1/2 cup) onion, 8 g (1/4 cup) cilantro, orange juice, 15 ml (1 tbsp) lime juice, oregano, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Massage with clean hands for 1 minute and let it rest while you cook the croquettes.
- 7
7. For the cream, blend the avocado with the Salvadoran cream, the remaining 15 ml (1 tbsp) lime juice, 3 g (1 clove) garlic, and a pinch of salt until smooth. For a looser texture, add 1 to 2 tablespoons cold water.
- 8
8. Heat the remaining 3 tablespoons vegetable oil (45 ml / 3 tbsp) in a wide skillet over medium heat. Cook the croquettes for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until golden and crisp outside. If you prefer to finish them in the oven, place them on a greased tray and bake at 400°F / 200°C for 10 minutes after lightly browning them.
- 9
9. Serve the croquettes hot with the avocado cream as a base or side, and the citrus cabbage slaw on top or alongside.
Chef tips
If the dried fish is very salty, boil it once, discard that water, and briefly cook it again in fresh water. For more even croquettes, lightly moisten your hands while shaping them.
Substitutions
You can substitute Salvadoran cream with sour cream. If you cannot find salted dried fish, use cooked flaked fish and adjust the salt. Cilantro can be replaced with parsley, though the flavor will be less traditional.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageNinja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
Illustrative imageCosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
Illustrative imageTempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
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