1 yucca root (a small one, about 1 pound, will do for two people easily)
Vegetable oil (just about 1/4″ deep in a skillet)
salt
cayenne pepper
Instructions
Peel the yucca with a vegetable peeler. Make sure to remove not only the brown part, but also all the purplish-part under that. Your peeled yucca should be white white white.
Cut it into slices about 2″ wide, then cut those in half to make thick half-moons.
Put the yucca in a pot and cover with water; put a lid on it.
Bring to boil over high heat, then reduce to medium-high.
Cook about 20 minutes, then check. When the yucca pieces are kind of busted-open, they are ready. It may take up to 30 minutes.
Remove gently with a slotted spoon and set on a cutting board to cool. As they cool they will firm up again.
Once cool, slice each half-moon “with the grain” to give several 1/2″ x 2″ pieces. If you run into any fibrous bits, pull those out. Yuck.
Heat the oil in a heavy skillet until hot. Add your yucca pieces and fry for about 2-3 minutes until golden. Flip and turn until all sides are golden.
Remove to a serving dish and sprinkle with equal parts salt and cayenne pepper. Serve immediately with: