Black-eyed Pea Fritters: Acaraje

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried black-eyed peas
• 1/2 cup dried shrimp
• 3/4 cup roughly chopped onion
• 2 teaspoons roughly chopped garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
• Salt
• 2 quarts vegetable oil
• Black Eye Pea Fritter Sauce, recipe follows

Directions

Soak the black-eyed peas overnight in cold water to cover. Drain. Rub off and discard the skins. Soak the shrimp in cold water to cover for 30 minutes. Puree the peas, onion, shrimp, garlic and cayenne in a food processor. Season to taste with salt, if necessary. Form mixture into tablespoon size balls.

Meanwhile in a 5-quart pot or Dutch oven, fitted with a candy or deep-frying thermometer, or in an electric deep fryer, heat oil over medium-low heat until the thermometer registers 365 degrees F. Make sure you have at least 3 inches of space between the top of the oil and the top of the pan, as oil will bubble up when fritters are added.

Fry the fritters in small batches until golden brown all over, turning once. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve at room temperature with Black-eyed Pea Fritter Sauce.

Black-eyed Pea Fritter Sauce-Molho de Acaraje:

1/2 cup dried shrimp

3/4 cup roughly chopped onion

1 teaspoon peeled fresh ginger

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

2 tablespoons olive oil

Salt

Soak the shrimp in cold water, to cover, for 30 minutes. Drain the shrimp and puree in a food processor or blender with the onion, ginger and red pepper. Heat the oil in a skillet and saute the shrimp mixture for about 5 minutes. Season with salt, to taste. Transfer to a bowl and serve with fritters.

Yield: about 1 1/4 cups