Difficulty: Hard | Serves: 6
Step into the world of ancestral fire cooking with Pit-Cooked Yuca, a dish that celebrates Cuba’s Indigenous Taíno roots and Afro-Cuban traditions. Using hot coals and buried heat, this method slow-cooks yuca (cassava) until tender and smoky—finished with garlicky citrus mojo for an unforgettable blend of texture and flavor. Earthy, bold, and rarely replicated at home, this technique revives a rustic legacy that predates ovens and stoves.
📜 The Tradition Behind Pit Cooking
“Before kitchens, there was earth, fire, and patience.”
Indigenous Taíno peoples across the Caribbean used barbacoa-style pits to roast roots like yuca, taro, and malanga. By layering hot stones and wrapping food in banana leaves or cloth, they created natural ovens—moist, slow, and deeply flavorful.
Today, pit cooking is still used in rural Cuba during community feasts and holidays, especially in dishes like yuca con mojo or alongside whole roasted pork.
Ingredients for Underground Pit-Cooked Yuca with Mojo
☑️ 2 lbs yuca (cassava), peeled and cut into large chunks
☑️ Banana leaves or parchment (for wrapping)
☑️ Hot stones or coals (for underground cooking)
For the Mojo Sauce:
☑️ ¼ cup olive oil
☑️ 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
☑️ ¼ cup sour orange juice (or 2 tbsp orange + 2 tbsp lime juice)
☑️ ½ tsp cumin
☑️ Salt to taste
☑️ Optional: chopped cilantro or oregano
🔥 How to Cook Underground Pit-Style Yuca
🕳️ Step 1: Prepare the Pit
1️⃣ Dig a shallow pit (1–2 feet deep) and fill with wood and stones.
2️⃣ Burn down to embers and heat the stones thoroughly.
🍠 Step 2: Wrap the Yuca
1️⃣ Wrap peeled yuca in banana leaves or foil.
2️⃣ Place over hot stones, cover with more hot coals or earth.
3️⃣ Let cook for 2–3 hours until tender and slightly smoky.
🧄 Step 3: Make the Mojo
1️⃣ In a pan, heat olive oil. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
2️⃣ Remove from heat, stir in citrus juice, cumin, and salt.
🌿 Step 4: Uncover & Serve
1️⃣ Retrieve the yuca bundles, unwrap carefully, and drizzle generously with mojo sauce.
2️⃣ Serve hot as a side dish or centerpiece with roasted meat or beans.
💖 Why You’ll Love Pit-Cooked Yuca with Mojo
☑️ Smoky, tender texture from earth-based cooking
☑️ Naturally gluten-free and paleo-friendly
☑️ Deep cultural ties to Cuban and Indigenous Caribbean foodways
☑️ Mojo adds brightness and bold flavor to every bite
“Cooking underground connects you to the oldest kitchen—Mother Earth herself.”
🌍 Craving More Extreme Culinary Adventures? If you’re fascinated by rare and ancient food traditions, explore our guide to Truffle Honey Glazed Duck Breast You Need to Try! with Indigenous Roots for the Adventurous Food Lover.
Discover rare culinary experiences at Good Food and More—where every recipe is a journey through heritage, craftsmanship, and unforgettable flavors.
