Originally Posted: January 2024
I’m attempting to cook a dish from EVERY single country in the world in alphabetical order. Today, we’re in The Bahamas with Conch Fritters, a crispy and flavourful Bahamian delight. I couldn’t get hold of fresh conch, so I used whelks, which worked brilliantly!
Ingredients (Serves 4):
For the Fritters:
• 1 pound fresh conch (or whelks)
• ½ scotch bonnet pepper, finely chopped
• ½ cup white onion, finely chopped
• 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
• ½ green bell pepper, finely chopped
• ½ red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1 large egg
• 1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
• ½ cup soda water
• ¾ tsp salt
• ½ cup beer (I used Red Stripe)
• ¼ tsp fresh cracked black pepper
• ½ tsp curry powder
• ¾ tsp baking powder
• 1 ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 750ml vegetable oil (for frying)
For the Dipping Sauce:
• ½ tsp lime juice
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup ketchup
• ½ tsp salt & pepper
• 1-2 tsp of your favourite hot sauce (I used Frank’s Red Hot)
For Garnish:
• Fresh chopped coriander
• Lime wedges
• Sea salt flakes
Method:
1. Prepare the Fritters:
If using conch, flatten it on a cutting board with a meat mallet. Finely chop the conch or whelks, and squeeze lime juice over them. In a large bowl, mix the conch with finely chopped celery, onion, scotch bonnet, green and red bell peppers, and fresh thyme. Season with salt and curry powder, and give it a good stir.
2. Make the Batter:
Add flour and baking powder to the conch mixture. Then, pour in the egg, soda water, and beer. Stir everything together until you have a thick, cohesive batter.
3. Fry the Fritters:
Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or fryer to 170-180°C. Using a tablespoon, drop spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil. Fry for 4-5 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Once done, remove the fritters and drain the excess oil on kitchen paper.
4. Make the Dipping Sauce:
In a small bowl, mix the lime juice, mayonnaise, ketchup, salt, pepper, and hot sauce until smooth and well combined.
5. Serve:
Serve the fritters on a plate or in a bowl with the dipping sauce on the side. Garnish with fresh chopped coriander, a squeeze of lime, and a sprinkle of sea salt flakes.
Enjoy these crispy Bahamian fritters – perfect party food or just a snack to transport you straight to the islands!
Big thanks to @rgm_seafood for saving the day with whelks when I couldn’t get conch! They have a lovely fish counter in Buxton and also offer a delivery service – check them out at @gofish.co.uk. Great service and lovely people!
#aroundtheworld #worldfood #bahamas #conchfritters #bahamianfood #series #seafoodrecipes #buxtonfishmongers
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