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West African Crispy Fritters

Serves 4 to 6 Appetizer vegetarian, Appetizers

West African Crispy Fritters

West African Crispy Fritters are a beloved staple across home tables in West Africa, where they are often enjoyed as a casual meal or a hearty snack. This dish captures the essence of home cooking, where measurements are more intuitive than precise, and where the warmth of shared meals is a daily tradition.

When cooked to perfection, these fritters should have a golden-brown exterior that gives way to a tender, savory center. The zucchini adds a subtle sweetness, while the herbs and spices deliver a fragrant punch. The fritters are best enjoyed hot, straight from the pan, with a sprinkle of salt enhancing their irresistible crispiness.

Ingredients

  • 3zucchini — grated
  • 2eggs
  • 4 tbspflour
  • for fryingoil
  • herbs — chopped
  • to tastefine sea salt and black pepper

Method

  1. Grate the 3 zucchini using a box grater, then place them in a clean kitchen towel. Squeeze out as much moisture as possible to ensure the fritters will be crispy. Transfer the grated zucchini to a large mixing bowl.
  2. Crack 2 eggs into the bowl with the zucchini. Add 4 tablespoons of flour, a generous pinch of fine sea salt, and black pepper to taste. Mix everything together until well combined, ensuring the flour is evenly distributed and the mixture holds together when pressed.
  3. Chop a handful of your favorite herbs, such as parsley or cilantro, and add them to the zucchini mixture. Stir well to incorporate the herbs, which will add freshness and a hint of earthiness to the fritters.
  4. In a large frying pan, pour enough oil to cover the bottom generously and heat it over medium-high heat. The oil is ready when a small drop of the zucchini mixture sizzles upon contact.
  5. Scoop a heaping tablespoon of the zucchini mixture and carefully place it into the hot oil, flattening it slightly with the back of the spoon to form a patty. Repeat with additional mixture, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan.
  6. Fry the fritters for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and crispy. The edges should be visibly crisp and the center firm when pressed lightly with a spatula.
  7. Once cooked, transfer the fritters to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Sprinkle with a little more fine sea salt while they are still hot to enhance the flavor.
  8. Serve the fritters immediately while they are warm and crispy, perfect for sharing around the table.
Cover of Authentic West African Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic West African Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic West African Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the West African volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

Available soon on Amazon…

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