Black-Eyed Pea Fritters
Instructions:
- 16 oz. canned black-eyed peas
- 1 large onion, chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional)
- dendê or vegetable oil for frying
- malagueta pepper sauce or other hot sauce (optional)*
- Place peas in a fine mesh strainer and rinse well with cold water.
- Place peas, onion, salt, pepper, and cayenne in a food processor or blender and process until smooth.
- Pour 2 to 3 inches of oil into a deep skillet or stockpot. Heat to 350˚F, or until a drop of water flicked into the pan jumps out.**
- Scoop up about 1 tbsp. of the pea mixture and use your hands to shape it into a small, oval patty. Set aside on a plate.
- Once you’ve made 4 or 5 patties, use a slotted spoon to carefully place them, one by one, into the oil.
- Fry for about 5 minutes, turning once to brown evenly on both sides.
- Carefully remove from oil and drain on paper towels.
- Repeat until pea mixture is gone.
- Serve warm with malagueta pepper sauce, if desired.
- Served warm and crispy, these delicious appetizers are popular all over Brazil .
- *Look for malagueta pepper sauce at Latin American markets.
- Preparation time: 15 minutes
- Cooking time: 20 to 30 minutes total