Yuca (cassava)

### **Yuca (*Manihot esculenta*) ** **Yuca** (pronounced *YOO-ka*), also known as **Cassava** or **Manioc**, is a starchy root vegetable and a major food staple for hundreds of millions of people in tropical and subtropical regions around the world. * **Appearance: ** It is a long, tapered root with a tough, brown, fibrous skin (which must be peeled) and a dense, white or yellowish starchy interior. * **Flavor and Texture: ** When cooked, yuca has a **mild, somewhat nutty flavor** and a dense, slightly chewy, but fluffy texture, similar to a potato or yam. * **Preparation Note (Crucial Safety Tip): ** Raw yuca contains cyanogenic glycosides, which are toxic. It **must be properly peeled and cooked** (usually by boiling or frying) before consumption to remove these compounds and make it safe to eat. * **Culinary Use: ** It is incredibly versatile and used to make: * **Yuca Fries/Fritters: ** Fried, crispy strips or pieces of the root. * **Boiled/Mashed: ** Served as a starchy side dish. * **Flour (Cassava Flour/Tapioca): ** The root is the source of tapioca, which is processed into various forms like tapioca pearls or starch (flour) for thickening and baking.