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 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.
The starchy flesh of the root has been a staple food in the Caribbean, Central America and parts of South America for many centuries. When the Portuguese and Spanish explorers came to the region, they took some of the so-called New World foods back to Europe. These included corn, tomatoes and potatoes. Cassava found its way across the Atlantic too and became a staple food in the tropical regions of Africa and Asia, where its production now surpasses that in the Americas.
Many people enjoy 'pan de casabe' in its simplest form, with only a bit of olive oil and salt. Others add toppings of avocado or eggs or make more substantial dishes by topping the flatbreads with beans and vegetables. It makes a great snack to enjoy with dips and broken in pieces, it adds bulk to salads and soups. You can even create a lovely fusion dish by using it as a quick and easy pizza base.
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.
Making 'pan de casabe' requires that you first process the flesh. Start by peeling the root and then grating the flesh to a pulp. The next step is to squeeze out as much of the liquid from the pulp as you can. This is a very important step because the liquid is poisonous.
If you prefer, you may now add salt to the pulp but it's not really a requirement. Use a mold to shape thin, flat patties or form them by hand. Fry them in a hot pan but don't add oil. They're ready when they have a golden appearance. As they cool, they will harden and get a crispy texture.
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.
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.
The starchy flesh of the root has been a staple food in the Caribbean, Central America and parts of South America for many centuries. When the Portuguese and Spanish explorers came to the region, they took some of the so-called New World foods back to Europe. These included corn, tomatoes and potatoes. Cassava found its way across the Atlantic too and became a staple food in the tropical regions of Africa and Asia, where its production now surpasses that in the Americas.
Many people enjoy 'pan de casabe' in its simplest form, with only a bit of olive oil and salt. Others add toppings of avocado or eggs or make more substantial dishes by topping the flatbreads with beans and vegetables. It makes a great snack to enjoy with dips and broken in pieces, it adds bulk to salads and soups. You can even create a lovely fusion dish by using it as a quick and easy pizza base.
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.
Making 'pan de casabe' requires that you first process the flesh. Start by peeling the root and then grating the flesh to a pulp. The next step is to squeeze out as much of the liquid from the pulp as you can. This is a very important step because the liquid is poisonous.
If you prefer, you may now add salt to the pulp but it's not really a requirement. Use a mold to shape thin, flat patties or form them by hand. Fry them in a hot pan but don't add oil. They're ready when they have a golden appearance. As they cool, they will harden and get a crispy texture.
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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