Accra (Saltfish Fritters)

Name: Accra (Saltfish Fritters)
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Saint Lucia
Ingredients: Salted cod, soaked overnight and drained — 250 g (9 oz); All-purpose flour — 150 g (1 1/4 cups); Baking powder — 1 tsp; Egg — 1; Water — 150 ml (2/3 cup); Small onion, finely chopped — 1; Garlic, minced — 1 clove; Fresh chives, chopped — 2 tbsp; Black pepper Oil for frying — 1/4 tsp

The Quirky Foodster Team

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Servings

Ingredients

Salted cod, soaked overnight and drained — 250 g (9 oz)
All-purpose flour — 150 g (1 1/4 cups)
Baking powder — 1 tsp
Egg — 1
Water — 150 ml (2/3 cup)
Small onion, finely chopped — 1
Garlic, minced — 1 clove
Fresh chives, chopped — 2 tbsp
Black pepper Oil for frying — 1/4 tsp

Method

Boil the soaked saltfish 8-10 minutes, then drain, cool and flake finely.
Whisk flour, baking powder, egg and water into a smooth batter.
Fold in the flaked fish, onion, garlic, chives and black pepper.
Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
Drop spoonfuls into the oil, flattening slightly, and fry 3 minutes per side until golden.
Drain on paper towels and serve warm.

Introduction: Small, crisp fritters made from flaked saltfish bound in a light seasoned batter.

Cultural Background: Accra descends from West African bean fritter traditions, adapted in Saint Lucia with salted cod, and is a favourite starter at gatherings and a popular offering from street vendors.

Tips: Taste before adding salt, as saltfish is already well-seasoned. Keep fritters uniform in size for even cooking.

Variations: Add finely diced sweet pepper for colour; a milder version uses cooked flaked white fish instead of saltfish.

Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Reheating: Reheat in a dry pan over medium heat, 2-3 minutes per side, to restore crispness.

Nutrition: Approx. 190 kcal, 14 g protein, 16 g carbohydrate, 8 g fat per serving (3 fritters).

FAQs:

Q: Can I use canned fish instead?

A: Drained canned mackerel works as a quicker substitute, with a milder flavour.

Q: Why soak the saltfish overnight?

A: It removes excess curing salt; skipping this makes the fritters too salty.