One of the most famous street food that can be found in the diverse food culture of Guyana is egg ball. Another is called cassava ball. These are two snacks that are simple but very delicate. You have to achieve certain techniques to make these unique treats perfect. They are loved for their soft, mellow cassava taste that simply melts in your mouth. As for the egg ball, a prized treat awaits you in the center as you bite into the outer cassava layer – the boiled egg. However, some prefer just the plain cassava ball without any boiled egg. Which one do you like? Continue reading to discover what these snacks are and how they are made.
What Is An Egg Ball?
An egg ball is a delicious Guyanese snack which similar to scotch eggs, in which eggs are boiled, wrapped and deep fried.In the case of the Egg Ball, eggs are in cassava or yuca instead of meat. Egg Ball is best served with some savoury mango sour/chutney.
Egg Ball Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. cassava (yuca)
- 6 eggs and 1 for batter
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp grated garlic
- 4 to 5 heads of eschalot, finely chopped
- pinch of fresh ground black pepper
- Oil for frying.
Method:
- Peel cassava and cut into 2-inch pieces.
- Place in a small saucepan, cover with water and add salt.
- Bring to a boil. Boil for about 15 minutes or until the cassava is soft and can be easily crushed with a fork.
- Place 6 eggs in a small saucepan and cover with water.
- Boil for 10 minutes. Then transfer to a bowl of iced cold water.
- When eggs are completely cool, remove shells.
- Once the cassava boils, remove from the water. Then remove the “vein” from the center of cassava.
- Crush the cassava with a potato masher or fork.
- Season cassava with granulated garlic, black pepper and green onions.
- Take about ¼ cup of the mashed cassava and form into a ball.
- Flatten the ball, then add 1 boiled egg.
- Cover the egg with the cassava and roll into a ball.
- Whisk the remaining egg and pour into a small plate.
- Add 1 cup of flour to another plate.
- Coat cassava ball with eggs, then with flour.
- Fry in hot oil, until golden brown.
- Remove from oil and drain excess oil on a paper towel. Enjoy with some Guyanese pepper sauce or sour.
Interesting Tip
- Egg Ball tastes best with mango sour/chutney.
What Is A Cassava Ball?
Simply put, a cassava ball is the same as an egg ball with the exception of boiled egg tucked inside. Cassava balls are boiled and mashed cassava which is then flavoured and fried. If you are making egg balls but run out of eggs, you can easily make some cassava balls and eat with delicious sour or pepper. For some, cassava ball is also known as cassava puff in some parts of the world.
Cassava Balls – Photo by: sstrieu (https://www.flickr.com/photos/sstrieu/16952024145/)
Cassava Ball Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 lb cassava
- 25g margarine
- pepper
- salt to taste
- 5g baking powder
- oil (for frying)
Method:
- Peel and wash cassava.
- Boil and mash until the mixture is smooth
- Mix in baking powder margarine, pepper, and salt.
- Combine thoroughly.
- Scoop mixture and make into small balls.
- Heat oil and fry balls of cassava until golden brown.
- Remove from oil and drain.
- Serve warm.
Nutritional Benefits Of Egg & Cassava Ball
Since both of these snacks are made of cassava, which is rich in nutrients, they can have many positive health benefits to the body. The cassava that we use is actually the underground part of the cassava shrub. It is a root vegetable or tuber just like the yam and potato. The Cassava tuber is similar in shape to sweet potatoes.
The nutritional profile of 1 cup of raw cassava is as follows:
- Calories: 330
- Protein: 2.8 grams (g)
- Carbohydrate: 78.4 g
- Fibre: 3.7 g
- Calcium: 33.0 milligrams (mg)
- Magnesium: 43.0 mg
- Potassium: 558.0 mg
- Vitamin C: 42.4 mg
- Vitamin B (Thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin)
Note: Do not eat raw cassava as it contains natural cyanide, which is toxic. However, soaking and cooking cassava renders this compound, harmless.
Egg Ball & Cassava Ball In Guyana
These snacks can be found almost anywhere in Guyana. Since a lot of people have mastered the technique of making these delicious treats – they are made and sold. Some put out a food display case upon a table right in front of their home. They showcase their egg ball, cassava ball, potato ball, puri, etc. for sale. These snacks are also sold at local shops and in Bourda or Stabroek Market. They are commonly found on the roadside and at school canteens. Further, a famous place where you are bound to get yummy egg and cassava balls is at the M&M Snackette. https://www.thingsguyana.com/mm-snackette-fast-food-with-a-healthy-twist/
Article References:
- http://www.guyanadining.com/cassava-puffs/
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323756.php
- http://www.guyanadining.com/eggball-recipe/
Last Updated: 2020-07-09
