Croquetas De Jaibas Estilo Ybor Ybor City's Deviled Crabs

Savor the bold and historic flavors of "Croquetas de Jaibas Estilo Ybor," also known as Ybor City's Deviled Crabs. This authentic Tampa-inspired recipe features tender blue crab meat infused with a savory blend of spices, sautéed vegetables, and the rustic charm of day-old Cuban bread. Each hand-shaped croquette is coated in golden breadcrumbs and fried to crispy perfection, delivering a rich texture and satisfying crunch in every bite. With hints of paprika, cumin, and a touch of heat from crushed red pepper, these croquettes are a delicious tribute to Ybor City's culinary heritage. Serve them hot as an irresistible appetizer or alongside a fresh salad for a flavorful main course. Perfect for seafood lovers, this recipe combines tradition with unbeatable taste—ready in just over an hour! Keywords: Ybor City's deviled crabs, croquetas de jaibas, blue crab croquettes, Cuban bread recipe, Tampa seafood recipes.

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

Prep Time:45 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:75 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb Blue crab meat
• 4 slices Day-old Cuban bread
• 1 cup Chicken stock
• 1 medium Spanish onions, finely diced
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 medium Bell pepper, finely diced
• 2 tablespoons Tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon Cumin
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 0.5 teaspoon Crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground black pepper
• 4 cups Vegetable oil
• 2 large Eggs, beaten
• 1 cup Breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons Parsley, chopped

Directions

Step 1

Begin by preparing the Cuban bread. Soak the slices in the chicken stock until softened, then squeeze out excess liquid and crumble into a bowl. Set aside.

Step 2

Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the diced onions, bell pepper, and minced garlic until the vegetables are soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in the tomato paste, cumin, paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2 more minutes to blend the flavors.

Step 4

Add the crab meat to the skillet and stir to coat it evenly in the spice mixture. Cook for 3-4 minutes until heated through. Stir in the crumbled bread and chopped parsley. Mix well and remove from the heat.

Step 5

Allow the mixture to cool slightly, then shape it into oval-shaped croquettes, roughly 3 inches long and 1 inch wide.

Step 6

Set up a breading station with the beaten eggs in one bowl and the breadcrumbs in another. Dip each croquette into the egg, then coat it thoroughly with breadcrumbs. Place the breaded croquettes on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Step 7

Heat the remaining vegetable oil in a deep skillet or fryer to 350°F (175°C). Fry the croquettes in batches, 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy. Remove and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.

Step 8

Serve hot as an appetizer or pair with a side salad for a delightful main course.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2466.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	9018.1

Total Fat 873.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 126.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 537.6g
Cholesterol 818.2mg	0%
Sodium 7262.0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 238.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.0g	0%
Total Sugars 28.4g
Protein 152.5g	0%

Vitamin D 80IU	0%
Calcium 744.1mg	0%
Iron 23.3mg	0%
Potassium 2931.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 83.4%

Protein: 6.5%

Carbs: 10.1%