Salt Cod Fritters

Total Time
30 minutes
Rating
3(48)
Comments
Read comments

Salt cod, often called by the fish's Spanish name, bacalao, or some variation, is still popular, but not because salting is the most efficient way of preserving fish; about a hundred years ago, freezing claimed that honor. Salting completely transforms cod's flavor and texture, allowing all sorts of dishes that are not possible with fresh cod or, for that matter, with anything else. At least not with such character.

Featured in: THE MINIMALIST; The Cod Transformed: First by Salt, Then by Fire

  • or to save this recipe.

  • Subscriber benefit: Give recipes to anyone

    As a subscriber, you have 10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers. Learn more.

  • Share this recipe

  • Print this recipe

Advertisement


Ingredients

Yield:6 to 8 servings
  • 1pound boneless salt cod, soaked overnight, drained and poached 15 minutes
  • 1onion, minced
  • 2garlic cloves, minced
  • ½teaspoon black pepper or more, or cayenne to taste
  • 1cup flour
  • 2eggs
  • ½cup fresh chopped parsley or cilantro
  • Corn, grape seed, canola or other neutral oil for deep-frying
  • Lime wedges
Ingredient Substitution Guide

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Chop salt cod with a knife, and then shred it with your fingers. Combine it with the onion, garlic and pepper in a bowl, and mix well with a wooden spoon. Add flour, and stir a few times; then beat in eggs one at a time. Add about ½ cup water, and stir; continue to add water (about ¼ cup more), until a batter forms -- it should be a bit thicker than pancake batter -- and then stir in the herb.

  2. Step 2

    Letting mixture rest, put about 3 inches of oil in a deep saucepan, and turn heat to medium-high; bring to 350 degrees. (A drop of batter will sizzle energetically when oil reaches that temperature.) Gently drop tablespoonfuls of cod mixture into oil, and fry, turning once, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Work in batches, taking care not to crowd fritters.

  3. Step 3

    Drain on paper towels, and serve with lime wedges, or keep in a warm oven until ready to serve.

Private Notes

Leave a Private Comment on this recipe and see it here.

Ratings

3 out of 5
48 user ratings
Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

Comments

There aren’t any comments yet. Be the first to leave one.

Followed recipe as written. Fritters per se were good and the recipe was simple, but they would have been greatly enhanced by something to augment them, perhaps an aioli for dipping.

Romesco sauce.

I used tilapia and it turned out great. Highly recommend to add salt to taste before eggs.

Private comments are only visible to you.

or to save this recipe.