Yaroa is a Dominican street food that originated from Santiago.[1][2][3] It is made from French fries or a mash of a root vegetable or tuber such as plantain or yuca, then layered with meat and then cheese.[1][4][5] Condiments such as mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard are also often added on top.[3] Beef, pork, chicken, or a combination of the meats is a common part of the dish.[1][3] There are many versions throughout the country.[3]
 Yaroa mixta | |
| Type | Fast food |
|---|---|
| Place of origin |  Dominican Republic |
| Region or state | Latin America, Caribbean |
| Main ingredients | Root vegetable, meat, cheese, condiments |
Street food vendors in food trucks often sell the dish.[3] Because it is relatively quick and easy to prepare, it is suitably served as a fast food.[5] It is a popular street food often eaten by young revelers at night in a Styrofoam to-go container.[3][6] Prior to its creation, the chimichurri burger and sandwich de pierna (pork sandwich) were the main street foods to eat at night.[4]
The name is derived from a neighborhood in Santiago.[1] At first, it was served in a hood neighborhood called El Iejido, then at the area around the Monument of Santiago by street vendors at about 1999.[4][5][7] The popularity spread to the point where a popular Dominican fast food chain now serves the dish.[4] Now it can be found internationally in places such as New York City[6] and Lawrence, MA.[8]
It has been compared to Canadian poutines, loaded fries and cheese fries.[4][6]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "What is a Yaroa? - Washington Heights, Inwood & Harlem Online". The Uptown Collective. 2012-05-23. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
- ^ Tuider, K.; Caplan, E. (2012). Dominican Republic (Other Places Travel Guide). Other Places travel guides. Other Places Publishing. p. 248. ISBN 978-1-935850-09-0. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
- ^ a b c d e f "Yaroa - Traditional Casserole From Santiago Province". TasteAtlas. 2020-02-12. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
- ^ a b c d e Gonzalez, Clara (2020-07-10). "Yaroa Mixta: Recipe + Video of Dominican-Style Loaded Fries". dominicancooking.com. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
- ^ a b c "Yaroa: una novedosa delicia culinaria de la cocina cibaeña". Hoy Digital (in Spanish). 2009-12-17. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
- ^ a b c Santana, Brenda (2013-03-19). "Dominican Yaroa Dish". #1 Rated Food Tours in Miami on Tripadvisor. Retrieved 2021-06-04.
- ^ Diario, Listin (2007-09-14). "Yaroa, receta urbana". listindiario.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 2021-06-04.
- ^ "Joy Empanadas | Order Online | Lawrence, MA". Joy Empanadas. Retrieved 2022-02-02.