By Melissa Pette

This Costa Rican food will never cease to amaze me.

Cassava, also known as yuca or manioc, is a starchy root vegetable commonly found in Costa Rica. 

Combining cassava with meat creates a delightful and flavorful dish. Enjoy these crispy enyucados buns with meat. 

So, let's go to the kitchen!

The ingredients you will need are:

• 500g cassava (yuca) root, peeled and grated.

• 1 egg, beaten.

• 2 tablespoons melted butter or oil.

• Salt, to taste.

• Water (as needed to adjust the dough consistency).

For the meat filling you will need:

• 300g ground meat (beef, chicken, pork, or a combination).

• 1 onion, finely chopped.

• 2 cloves garlic, minced.

• 1 tablespoon oil.

• Salt and pepper, to taste.

• Optional seasonings: paprika, cumin, oregano, or any of your favorite spices.

Peel the cassava root and grate it using a box grater or a food processor.

Squeeze out excess moisture from the grated cassava using a clean cloth or cheesecloth.

In a mixing bowl, combine the grated cassava, beaten egg, melted butter or oil, and a pinch of salt. Mix well.

Gradually add water if needed to form a smooth, pliable dough. The consistency should be similar to regular bread dough.

Now the meat filling. In a skillet, heat oil over medium heat and sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until soft and translucent.

Add the ground meat to the skillet and cook until browned and fully cooked.

Season the meat with salt, pepper, and any optional spices you prefer. Mix well and remove from heat.

The funny part is assembling the cassava buns. Take a small portion of the cassava dough and flatten it with your hands or a rolling pin on a lightly floured surface.

Place a spoonful of the meat filling in the center of the flattened dough.

Fold the edges of the dough over the filling, sealing it to form a ball. Ensure there are no openings to prevent the filling from leaking during cooking.

Repeat the process with the remaining dough and filling.

Then, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) or preheat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.

If baking, place the cassava buns on a greased baking sheet and bake for approximately 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

If cooking on the stovetop, lightly oil the skillet and cook the cassava buns for about 5 minutes on each side or until they develop a golden crust.

Once cooked, let the cassava buns cool slightly before serving.

These delicious cassava buns can be enjoyed as a snack, appetizer, or as a main dish accompanied by your favorite dipping sauce or side dishes.

Remember, you can always customize the recipe by adding other ingredients or adjusting the seasonings to suit your taste preferences. 

And don't forget your fav beer!

Have a Pura Vida weekend! 

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Find more tasty step-by-step Costa Rican food recipes on the AM Costa Rica Food & Good Eating page. You are invited to share your favorite recipes with a horizontal photo of the dish by emailing food@amcostarica.com.