Bread comes in many forms. The French have their baguettes; along the Mediterranean people eat pitas and in Mexico and Central America you'll find wheat and corn tortillas. In the Caribbean, the staple usually comes in the form of 'pan de casabe', which is cassava bread.
The main reason why people in the Caribbean eat 'pan de casabe' is because they've been doing so for centuries. It's made of the root of the cassava plant, which is native to the region as well as to parts of South America. The root is brown in color and has a long, thin shape. Remove the skin, however, and you'll find a starchy flesh inside, which is a light yellow or white in color.
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.
The best place to find 'pan de casabe' is to travel to the Caribbean, for instance to the Dominican Republic, and enjoy it at the source. If you want the taste of the Caribbean at home, though, you can try buying either the roots or the ready-made cassava bread at stores that specialize in Caribbean cuisine. Dominican or Jamaican restaurants are likely to serve it as a side dish too and may be willing to sell it to you to go.
The main reason why people in the Caribbean eat 'pan de casabe' is because they've been doing so for centuries. It's made of the root of the cassava plant, which is native to the region as well as to parts of South America. The root is brown in color and has a long, thin shape. Remove the skin, however, and you'll find a starchy flesh inside, which is a light yellow or white in color.
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.
The best place to find 'pan de casabe' is to travel to the Caribbean, for instance to the Dominican Republic, and enjoy it at the source. If you want the taste of the Caribbean at home, though, you can try buying either the roots or the ready-made cassava bread at stores that specialize in Caribbean cuisine. Dominican or Jamaican restaurants are likely to serve it as a side dish too and may be willing to sell it to you to go.
About the Author:
You can visit the website yucasabe.com for more helpful information about Enjoy The Taste Of The Caribbean With Cassava Bread
No comments:
Post a Comment