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Also called Cassava, the yuca root is of American origin, used by Caribbean and Central American Indians as a staple food source. This cooking vegetable is the thickening source of tapioca. Also, it was used in olden days to starch clothing. Available year round, it is cultivated in Southern and Central American countries, the Caribbean, Africa, Asia, South Pacific and Florida. It is shaped like an elongated sweet potato and has pink to brown skin, which is softly fibrous with white flesh.

Encourage cassava use in stews to help thicken and absorb juices