Who doesn’t love a good fritter? Something about biting into that crunchy and fluffy ball of goodness hits the spot for me. One of my favorites is a hushpuppy. This southern delite is usually made with flour, cornmeal, spices and onions. When made right they are delicious, and usually are paired with a dipping sauce.
I was looking for something different to try with some black eyed peas I had leftover from New Years.
Check out my post, Why We Eat Black Eyed Peas For New Years. It was cool to learn why that tradition is important and how they symbolize hope and prosperity in the coming year. I figured why not keep the theme going and make something else with these lovely beans.
Black eyed pea fritters, traditionally called Akara, can be found in several countries in Africa, including Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon. Generally they are fried, and contain onions, peppers, and spices. Brazil also has a version that is split in the middle and stuffed with shrimp, and served with a tomato sauce.
After learning about all these variations of fritter, I knew I had to make a batch pronto. In true kitchen sink style I made use of odds and ends in my fridge. I subbed jalapeno for the habanero, and added a bit of green bell pepper, onion and celery. I tossed in smoked paprika and fresh thyme.
As it is with certain fried things that I love, the right sauce is crucial. I’ve always been fond of harissa. This North African red pepper sauce packs a punch and is a great condiment. This time around I went with my favorite store brand harissa. I drizzled and mixed in some honey to add sweetness with the heat. It worked out really well.
Definitely soak the beans
I did take the time to soak the beans overnight. If time doesn’t allow for a long soak, 6 hours is fine. I then rinsed the beans and put them in a fresh bowl of water. Removing the skin is a necessary step in order to use the beans properly. I rubbed the peas gently in my hands to release the skins. After removing them you can throw them away. Now the beans are ready to use.
Once you have placed the ingredients into the food processor you want to mix for a few minutes. The batter should be white and look fluffy.
The amount of beans I used makes about 10 fritters. You can adjust the recipe as you need. When making a fritter or any type of pattie, I like to put it in the fridge to firm up before using. That way there is less chance of them falling apart.
Lately I have replaced canola oil with avocado oil when frying. It is a bit healthier and has a high smoke point. So it works well in this instance.
As an appetizer these black eyed pea fritters were simple to make and pretty tasty. You can adjust the ingredients and spices to suite your needs. With the super bowl right around the corner, a batch of these would make a great snack!
Ingredients
- 1 small onion,diced
- 1 C black eyed peas
- ½ bell pepper diced
- 1 small jalapeno diced
- 1 stalk celery diced
- 2 T minced garlic
- 2 tsp of salt and pepper
- 1 tsp of cayenne
- 2 tsp of cumin
- 1 tsp of smoked paprika
- 2 sprigs of fresh thyme
- ½ c of Avocado oil
INSTRUCTIONS
- Fill a large bowl with 6 cups of water and soak beans for 8 hours or overnight. Rinse and add water to cover. Using your hands, gently rub bens to release the shells. They will release and easily float to the top or come off in your hands, then drain
- Add peas, and all ingredients except oils into the food processor, pulse for 1 minute. You are looking for a white fluffy mixture to form. Pulse again and drizzle avocado oil in until it is incorporated into the mixture. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Place mixture into a bowl and cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to set.
- Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Add oil to the frying pan and heat till it reaches a temperature of 350 degrees, Using a small cookie scoop or tablespoon drop fritters into oil. Fry 1 minute and 30 seconds each side. These babies cook pretty fast so keep an eye on them.
- Remove from oil and place on a paper towel lined baking sheet. You can keep them warm in the oven while you are frying the rest.
- Serve black eyed pea fritters on a platter with sauce of your choice on the side.
If you make this recipe, I’d love to know your thoughts and how it turned out!