Salvadoran FoodSalvadoran crispy yuca rounds with pineapple curtido, creamy red beans, and grated hard cheese
An original recipe inspired by traditional Salvadoran flavors: boiled yuca rounds pan-seared until crisp outside and tender inside, topped with creamy red beans, fresh cabbage and pineapple curtido, and grated hard cheese. It is a savory snack with a balance of acidity, creaminess, and crunch.
Ingredients
- 700 g peeled yuca (cut en trozos large)
- 8 g salt (divided entre the cocción and the curtido)
- 300 g cooked red beans (escurrido pero with a poco of caldo reservado)
- 120 ml bean broth (for licuar or machacar the frijoles)
- 120 g white onion (finely slice; mitad for curtido and mitad for frijoles)
- 9 g garlic (chopped; divided)
- 180 g cabbage (finely grated)
- 120 g fresh pineapple (en cubitos small)
- 80 g carrot (grated)
- 60 ml white vinegar (for the curtido)
- 60 ml hot water (for suavizar the curtido)
- 1 g dried oregano (for the curtido)
- 4 g sugar (for balancear the acidez of the curtido)
- 45 ml vegetable oil (divided for frijoles and for dorar the yuca)
- 1 g ground cumin (for the frijoles)
- 80 g grated hard Salvadoran cheese (for servir)
- 10 g fresh cilantro (chopped for terminar)
- 20 ml lime (juice fresh for finalizar)
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 4 g (3/4 tsp) salt. Bring to a boil and cook over medium heat for 20 to 25 minutes, until tender but not falling apart. Drain, remove any tough core fibers, and let it cool enough to handle.
- 2
2. While the yuca cooks, make the curtido. In a bowl, combine the cabbage, carrot, half of the white onion, pineapple, 4 g (3/4 tsp) salt, white vinegar, hot water, dried oregano, and sugar. Mix well with your hands or a spoon, pressing lightly to soften the cabbage. Let it rest for at least 15 minutes.
- 3
3. For the creamy beans, heat 15 ml (1 tbsp) vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the remaining onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in half of the chopped garlic and cook 30 seconds more. Add the cooked red beans, bean broth, and ground cumin. Mash or lightly blend to your desired texture, then cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring, until thick and spreadable. Adjust salt if needed.
- 4
4. Cut the cooked yuca into thick rounds about 2 cm (3/4 inch) wide. Gently press each round with your palm or the bottom of a glass to form thick discs without breaking them apart completely.
- 5
5. Preheat the oven to 200°F / 95°C to keep the assembled rounds warm if desired. Then heat the remaining vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the yuca rounds for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until crisp and deeply golden. In the last minute, add the remaining garlic around the skillet to perfume the oil without burning it.
- 6
6. Transfer the browned yuca rounds to a tray and, if needed, keep them warm in the oven at 200°F / 95°C for a few minutes while you finish assembling.
- 7
7. To assemble, spread each yuca round with a generous spoonful of creamy red beans. Top with a small mound of well-drained pineapple curtido.
- 8
8. Finish each round with grated hard cheese, chopped fresh cilantro, and a few drops of lime juice. Serve immediately while the yuca is still crisp.
Chef tips
If the yuca is very moist after boiling, dry it well before browning so it develops a better crust. The curtido tastes even better if it rests for 30 minutes.
Substitutions
You can use dry fresh cheese or cotija if Salvadoran hard cheese is unavailable. Pineapple can be replaced with firm green mango for a tarter curtido. If preferred, red beans can be swapped for cooked black beans.
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
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Ratings & reviews
Sign in to rate this recipe
Sign inRelated recipes
Salvadoran sweet plantain and red bean cakes with queso duro blando and roasted tomato chirmol
55 min
Salvadoran corn and squash fritters with fresh curd center, fire-roasted tomato sauce, and crisp radish salad
55 min
Salvadoran corn and mora herb fritters with seared fresh curd, tomatillo sauce, and sesame
55 min
Salvadoran rice and chipilín cakes with fresh cheese, carrot slaw, and creamy roasted tomato sauce
50 min
Salvadoran purple corn bites with black beans, fresh cheese, and warm cashew apple sauce
55 min
Salvadoran Yuca and Quesillo Cakes with Fresh Cucumber and Mint Salad
55 min