SPICY FRIED CAKE

This is the cheap fried cassava fritter. One can eat it until one is full. It is usually sold in front of schools, a typical type of folk fritters in Cuu Long river delta, and once a popular street food for many students. On chilling days in rainy season, every time coming home for lunch after school, we would love to stop by Hai auntie’s shop to buy this pastry. It was so tempting looking at them sizzling fried in the hot oil pan. The main ingredient is cassava. They are peeled, brewed in water for 1 or 2 hours, and left to dry. Use a grater with small holes, and shred a cassavaroot vertically to have soft smooth flour (using blenders is an option). Drain out all the water and add wheat flour and tapioca starch. Mix them up with spices such as curry powder, onion and chili to enhance the look and flavor. Make circle slumps or slices as one may like, then fry them in hot oil pan. Take them out when they are yellow fried. They can be eaten as hot or cool dish.

Collected by Linh Trang