Enjoy The Taste Of The Caribbean With Cassava Bread

By Judy Sullivan


Throughout the world, people eat bread as a quick and easy staple food. It doesn't always come in the form of a loaf made of wheat flour, however. In Turkey, Greece and the countries of the Levant, for instance, people often eat flat pita breads while in Central America and Mexico, no meal is served without tortillas as accompaniment. The Caribbean's favorite is cassava bread, which is often referred to as 'pan de casabe'.

The cassava plant is native to the Caribbean region as well as to the northern parts of South America. It produces a large root, which has a diameter of between one and two inches and a length of up to twelve inches. If you remove the rough, brown skin covering the root, you'll find a white or yellowish flesh that is rich in starch.

When the first European explorers came to the Caribbean, they found that people all over the region and as far away as Central and South America were eating 'pan de casabe' as a staple food. They took this foodstuff with them to the Iberian Peninsula and from there it spread across the world along with other New World foods like potatoes, tomatoes and corn. Today the root is a staple in regions like West Africa too.

'Pan de casabe' is still very much a Caribbean food, however. It's synonymous with Dominican cuisine, for instance. It's usually eaten in the form of a flatbread, similar to a tortilla. Enjoy it with toppings like avocado, eggs, beans or vegetables or simply sprinkle it with salt and olive oil. Toast it to make croutons, eat it with dips like you would eat nacho chips or smother it in melted cheese for a new take on pizza.

The main reason why 'pan de casabe' became such a ubiquitous dish on Caribbean dining tables is that it's a good source of energy. It's not only rich in carbohydrates, however, but also contains substantial amounts of calcium, phosphorus and Vitamin C. Because of its low fat and sodium content it's a healthier option than many regular breads.

To make 'pan de casabe' is quite easy. First you need to remove the skin and then grate the flesh. Next, you need to squeeze out the liquid from the pulp because this is actually poisonous.

You can now add salt to the pulp if you want. Take handfuls of pulp and shape them into patties. You may also use a mold that was designed specifically for this purpose. Heat a frying pan and, without adding oil, cook the patties until they're golden on either side. As the flatbreads cool, they will become crispy.

Unfortunately cassava bread isn't very easy to find in regular stores. You can find it in stores that sell Caribbean foods or simply ask around in neighborhoods where there is a large Jamaican or Dominican community. You'll be able to find it online too or otherwise, use your search as an excuse for a trip to the Caribbean.




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