manioc The tuber of the manioc plant (also known as cassava) is widely used in Caribbean, West African, and Brazilian cuisines. Sweet manioc may be eaten after a simple boiling; bitter manioc is poisonous and must be processed carefully in order to wash out the poison. Manioc is available in tropical groceries. Manioc leaves are used in West African cooking to flavor the sauces that are eaten over rice (see the recipe for fitouf). Spinach or other leafy greens may be substituted. You may find manioc leaves dried or frozen (the better choice) in Caribbean, African, and Brazilian groceries.
