Acras de Morue: Caribbean Cod Fritters

These spicy Cod Fritters are made widely throughout the West Indies. It is a popular cuisine that arose in this region of the African diaspora. They are particularly revered by the inhabitants of the Antilles, whether rich or poor. They are frequently sold by food vendors on popular streets and venues.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 pound salt cod fillets
• 1 cup flour
• salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 2 onions
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 shallot
• pepper
• 4 sprigs parsley
• 1 pimento

Instructions:

1. The day before: Place the fillets of cod in a strainer placed in a pan. Place under a stream of running water to remove the salt. Leave it overnight.

2. On the following day, pour the flour and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Make a hole in the center and pour in the eggs and milk. You will obtain a batter which is slightly less fluid than an ordinary pancake batter.

3. Peel the onions, garlic and shallot and place them in 2-1/2 cups of water with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Add the fillets of cod. Simmer for 10 minutes. Drain and mince all the ingredients.

4. Chop the remaining onion and parsley. Cut the tomato into very small pieces. Put all the ingredients into the batter. Mix well.

5. Fry this mixture by the spoonful in very hot oil in a skillet. Once the fritters swell, drain carefully. Serve hot.