This is one of the most popular Panamanian recipe among my friends. Once you try these you’ll want to eat them constantly.
I first published this recipe in the summer of 2011 and they went a bit unnoticed, but I hope that this time people realized that they are amazing!
The carimañolas (can’t find a name in English) are medium sized croquette made with mashed cassava and filled with seasoned ground meat, cheese or chicken. They are often eaten for breakfast or really at any time during the day, because you can buy them from food carts on the street almost everywhere. They’re typical from the Caribbean cost of Colombia and Panama.
Ingredients
- 1 kg. cassava
- 500 g. ground beef
- 1 green pepper, chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 medium tomato, chopped
- 1 boiled egg
- A few leaves of cilantro (coriander), chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil for frying
Directions
Peel and cut the cassava into pieces and cook in salted water until tender (the time will depend on the cassava, 20 to 30 minutes)
Meanwhile, brown the ground beef in a pan, add onions, peppers, tomatoes and cilantro (coriander), when all the veggies are tender, 15 minutes or so, add the boiled egg chopped.
Mince the cassava and make a puree with it adding two tablespoons of oil. Knead well until the dough is compact and fairly easy to work with.
To form the Carimañolas, make balls with your hands and then smash them a little, place a spoonful of filling in the middle and close. They are oval, so you have to lengthen the sides.
Finally deep fry them in hot oil until golden. To add consistency you can put a beaten egg into the dough and to make them easier to handle you can use some oil on your hands, that way they won’t stick.
If you want to try something similar and also very very good, go take a look at these Cuban style stuffed potatoes.
Enjoy!
Oh my goodness, how could these possibly go unnoticed! They look incredible!
🙂 Mandy
Hi Mandy!
Thanks for your comment. I hope this time around carimañolas get the attention they deserve 😉 hehe!
WOW! I haven’t known before, cassava… I learned now. Should be so nice and delicious. Thank you dear Giovanna, love, nia
Thanks Nia!
You are too kind 🙂
Interesting! I tired Cassava some months ago and I was a bit stymied for recipes … I’ll try these!
Yes, do it, you’ll love them 🙂
Thanks for your comment!
Ellos miran deliciosos 😉
¡Muchas gracias MD!
Lo están, 😉
At last something I know… my wife makes these…
Really? That’s great! So she knows Panamanian cuisine? And, do you like them?
Thanks for your comment 🙂
No I think she found this in one or other magazine and tried it out on us… it has become a favourite of my sons…
Yuca rellena! Or bolitas de yuca….whatever you call them…YUM! Leandro got a Peruvian recipe from his Spanish school, so we hope to do something similar soon!
¡Hola Natalia!
Si, he visto la receta para las bolitas peruanas y tienen una pinta estupenda. Qué bien que den a Leandro recetas de comida hispanoamericana, es importante conservar las raices.
Un abrazo 🙂
En su escuela de espanol cada viernes no tan solo asisten a clases de literatura y arte, pero también ¡cocina y baile! La cocina es su favorito y Miss Susana es estupenda…
I’m glad you’ve reprinted this.. I don’t think I’ve seen cassavas here for purchase, but maybe only because I didn’t know what I was looking at. Boy, I sure could eat a whole lot of those!!
Hi Barbara!
I can’t believe you’ve never tried cassava… next time at the market look for this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Manihot_esculenta_001.jpg
Hehe 😉
Thanks a lot for your flattering comment, I’m glad you liked it 🙂
Sounds very interesting 🙂
Thank you Tandy 🙂 !!
I’ve such limited experience with cassava, Giovanna, and it looks so delicious when you prepare it. I really need to try this. I think I’m missing out on something really good!
Yes, you are, my friend! I simply love it.
Now you have a least two recipes with cassava, so down to work!! 😉
Thanks a lot for your comment, you are too kind 🙂
They sound amazing and I could definitely eat them for breakfast! Have never cooked with cassava before – it´s time to start 🙂
¡Muchas gracias Tanya!
Si, este es un buen plato para empezar 🙂
I don’t remember every having these while leaving in Florida. They sound very addictive…I don’t think it would be possible to stop at just one.
Hi Karen!
Sorry for the delay 🙂 Maybe there are not so many Panamanian dishes in FL… We have to change that! They are kind of addictive, yes, but be careful, carbs, carbs, carbs!! 😉
Have a nice day!
They look delicious but I have to see the insides!?
I’ll see if I have a shot of one open 🙂
They do look yummy and addicting!
Thanks Fergie!
I’m glad you like them 🙂
Sounds delish!
Thanks Jed!! 🙂