These past days have been very sad for me and my family because my grandmother, Francis, passed away on Friday, three days after celebrating her 96th birthday. She had a heart condition for many years, and in recent months we knew we had to be prepared because her departure could have been anytime. Even so, it is never easy to accept that someone close has gone.
The last six years were the most difficult for her because she survived the death of two of his 16 children; one of them was my father. It is conforming to us to know my grandmother was a Christian for many years and that she has gone ahead of us to meet our Creator. Her perseverance, good spirit, kind heart and constant desire for family bonding are characters to follow.
Although I was not in the mood to photograph and blog, I filled myself with enthusiasm to prepare this recipe. We all know that recipes unite us to other people, and also allow us to share many beautiful, delicious and nostalgic memories. Since I like to write about recipes, this is a way for me to keep a special memory of my grandmother and share it with the rest of the family and friends.
Two years ago my grandmother told me about these sweet yuca fritters, a homemade dessert that was prepared in her time with leftover boiled cassava from breakfast or dinner. I know that for many of you nostalgic and happy memories will fill your minds and heart when you saw this tradition dessert for many Latin countries. Others will be curious because it may be the first time you hear about this dessert. You cannot imagine how delicious it is; therefore, you have to taste it to see yourself. I recommend it 100%. I had a chance to see a similar cassava fritter dessert sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon here. Other recipes of cassava in this blog are yuca fritters [savory] and cassava bread with coconut and anise seeds.
Have a nice week and remember that our time here is short but daily we have a chance to make a difference in our lives and the lives of others. Let that difference be a positive one, always seek love and family togetherness. Above all things seek God’s grace.
Yuca Fritters in Sweet Syrup
Sweet cassava/yuca fritters in lightly spiced syrup are a traditional Latin American dessert. These flourless doughnut like tasting fritters are amazingly delicious!
Ingredients:
1 ½ pounds of yuca , peeled and chopped
Pinch of salt
Enough water for boiling
3 Tablespoons sugar
1 ½ Tablespoons margarine or butter
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 Tablespoon milk
1 egg
Syrup:
1 cup brown sugar
3 cups white sugar
4 cups water
2 sprigs cinnamon
8 whole cloves
2 teaspoons vanilla
Abundant oil for frying
Instructions:
1. For the syrup: In a medium saucepan mix the sugar, water, cinnamon and cloves and set over medium heat for 15 minutes. Add vanilla and simmer for two minutes more. Remove from heat and leave at room temperature. Note: This is enough syrup to cover the balls completely. If you only like to sprinkle a little syrup on top of the fritters than divide the syrup recipe in half.
2. For cassava dough: Peel and cut cassava, place in a pot with enough water to cover and ¼ teaspoon salt. Cook for 30-40 minutes until very soft. Note : The amount of cassava before peeling was 2¼ pound.
3. Remove the cassava from the water and with a fork remove the twig like vein in the center of each piece. Begin to mash and add the three tablespoons of sugar, margarine, baking powder, milk and egg. Continue mashing the mixture until a puree is formed. Place puree in the refrigerator to chill for about 10-15 minutes, this makes it easier to work with the dough.
4. For the sweet fritter: In a frying pan place plenty of oil to heat. Form 1 ½ inch [3.8 cm] balls with cassava dough and fry no more than six or eight balls at a time until they are golden brown in color as seen in the photos. Drain balls in paper towel or wire mesh as they cool.
5. In a glass bowl or bottle placed the yuca balls and bath with all the syrup. Cover the container and let cool completely before refrigerating.
6. To serve: Place two to three yuca fritters in a dessert cup and top with a little syrup. Enjoy!
Yield: 2 dozens 1 ½ inches [3.8 cm] yuca fritters.
Receta en ESPAÑOL: AQUÍ.
I can do all this through him who gives me strength. - Philippians 4:13
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