Saltfish Fritters with Sweetcorn Dip
Saltfish fritters, also known as “stamp and go” or “bacalaitos,” area Caribbean fish fritters commonly seen as street food.
The saltfish fritters are a simple yet magical combination of salted codfish, also known as saltfish, and a batter made from flour, herbs, spices, and various vegetables. The saltfish is first soaked to remove excess salt and then flaked into small pieces. This tenderized fish is then mixed with the flavorful batter, resulting in a harmonious blend of textures and tastes.
About Saltfish Fritters
Saltfish fritters trace their origins to the Caribbean region, particularly Jamaica, where they have long been a staple of street food culture. This tasty treat has also found a place on menus in other Caribbean islands, such as Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, and the Bahamas. The roots of this dish can be traced back to the historical influence of African, European, and indigenous culinary traditions, resulting in a fusion that truly satisfies the palate.
Saltfish is a fish cured with dried salt. Cod is particularly popular as the fish used in this recipe. You can often find salted cod at grocery stores or seafood markets.
Preparing the Saltfish Fritter Recipe
Creating perfect saltfish fritters involves a batter is typically made using flour, baking powder, herbs like thyme or parsley, finely chopped onions, scallions, bell peppers, and spices such as black pepper and paprika. Some variations may include hot peppers for an extra kick of heat.
Once the batter is prepared, the saltfish is added, ensuring an even distribution throughout. The mixture is then spooned into hot oil, either shallow or deep-fried, until golden brown and crispy. The result is a batch of savory fritters with a crunchy exterior and a moist, flavorful interior.
Variations and Serving Saltfish Fritters
One of the true delights of saltfish fritters lies in their versatility. The fish cakes can be enjoyed as a snack, appetizer, or even as a part of a main course. They pair perfectly with tangy sauces, such as tartar sauce or a spicy aioli, enhancing their already delightful flavors. The recipe here includes a sweet corn dip.
For a complete meal, saltfish fritters can be served alongside traditional accompaniments like rice and peas, plantains, or a refreshing salad. Their versatility also allows for creative twists, such as stuffing them into a sandwich or wrapping them in a warm tortilla. For a great list of suggestions and recipes for side dishes to serve with the fritters take a look at these side dishes for fried fish.
You can also try these recipes to go with your fish fritters:
Make Baja Fish Tacos with the Saltfish Fritters.
Try servings the fritters with a tasty Korean Hwache Watermelon Punch.
Saltfish Fritters
Saltfish fritters are a simple yet magical combination of salted codfish, also known as saltfish, and a batter made from flour, herbs, spices, and various vegetables.
Ingredients
- For saltfish fritters:
- 8 oz saltfish, skinned, boned and chopped
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tomato, seeds removed and finely chopped
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- ½ yellow bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped
- ½ red bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped
- ½ green bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
- 4 tbsp sweetcorn
- Handful of fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, chopped
- 8 oz self-raising flour
- 1 vegetable stock cube
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp jerk seasoning
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 9 fl oz water
- Sunflower oil, for frying
- For sweetcorn dip:
- 3 tbsp sweetcorn
- 1 yellow bell pepper slice
- 1 red bell pepper slice
- 1 green bell pepper slice
- ½ Scotch Bonnet pepper, seeded and finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, peeled and finely chopped
- ¾ ‘’ fresh ginger, finely chopped
- Juice of a lemon
- Juice of a lime
- Handful of fresh chives, chopped
- 2 tsp honey
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- Pinch of jerk seasoning
Instructions
- To fry the fritters, pour oil in a deep fryer and heat until it sizzles.
- Add the baking powder, jerk seasoning and ground turmeric into the flour, crumble the vegetable stock over it and stir them all together.
- Pour in the beaten egg and continue to stir the mixture along with a splash of water, if necessary, into a smooth and thick batter.
- Throw in rest of the ingredients for the fritters into the batter and give it a nice stir until they are properly coated with the mixture.
- Drop small spoonfuls of the fritter mixture into the hot oil and deep-fry them for a couple of minutes or until the fritters turn crispy golden brown.
- Drain them with a slotted spoon and transfer the fritters to a plate lined with paper towel to soak away extra oil.
- To make the dip, add all its ingredients into a food processor and pulse them into a smooth and creamy puree.
- Divide the fritters to the serving plates and smother them with freshly squeezed lime juice.
- Serve alongside a bowl of sweetcorn dip.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 102Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 904mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 9g
Last Updated on December 4, 2023 by Carleen
