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Guyanese egg balls

Fried cassava-coated eggs

Egg balls: boiled eggs in spiced cassava, fried golden

Egg balls are the snack you buy in a paper bag at a Georgetown cake shop or from a tray at a cricket match at Bourda, with a generous spoon of mango sour over the top. A whole hard-boiled egg is wrapped in a layer of mashed cassava seasoned with garlic, hot pepper and herbs, then fried until crisp and golden. The usual problem is cassava that is too wet or too thin a layer, so the balls crack in the oil; mash it dry and keep the coat about 1 cm thick. Eggs are the main allergen here. Chef's tip: chill the wrapped balls for 20 minutes before frying so they hold their shape.
Total time
60 min
Difficulty
medium
Serves
6
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Ingredients

Serves6

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Fresh ingredients (3)

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Method

0/6 done
  1. Step 1: Lower 6 eggs into boiling water and cook for 10 minutes, then cool in cold water and peel.

    12 min
  2. Step 2: Boil 1 ½ lb cassava (yuca) in salted water with half of ½ tsp salt until completely tender when pierced, 20–25 minutes. Pull out and discard any stringy core.

    25 min
  3. Step 3: Drain well and mash while hot until smooth and dry. Mix in 3 cloves garlic, 1 wiri wiri or scotch bonnet chilli, 2 spring onion, 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, ½ tsp ground black pepper and the rest of ½ tsp salt. Let it cool enough to handle.

  4. Step 4: Divide the cassava into 6. Flatten one portion in your palm, set an egg in the middle and wrap the cassava around it in an even layer about 1 cm thick, smoothing any cracks with damp fingers. Repeat, then chill for 20 minutes.

    20 min
  5. Step 5: Heat 4 ¼ cups vegetable oil in a deep pan to 350°F (a cube of bread browns in 30 seconds). Fry 2–3 balls at a time, turning, until deep golden and crisp, 4–5 minutes.

    5 min
  6. Step 6: Drain on kitchen paper. Cut in half and serve warm with plenty of mango sour.

Nutrition per serving

Calories
310 kcal
Protein
9 g
Carbs
37 g
Fat
14 g
Fibre
2 g

Nutrition values are estimates.

K
Recipe by

KrazyBadal

All recipes by this chef →

Good to know

How long does guyanese egg balls take?
About 60 minutes in total: 30 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook.
How many people does it serve?
6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
Is it vegetarian?
Yes. It has no meat or fish.
Is it gluten free?
Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
What can I use instead of eggs?
1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 3 tbsp water per egg, left for 5 minutes (baking only; vegan).
What can I use instead of garlic?
½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.

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