Saltfish is a Caribbean thing. No there isn’t fish full of salt that swims in the ocean. Saltfish is a common ingredient in Caribbean cooking, we like to stew, add it to rice or make these Fried Caribbean Saltfish Fritters.
Basically, saltfish is the result of taking a white fish and salt-curing and drying it. The fish is dried out and cured with salt in order to preserve it for a longer period. This preservation technique dates back to colonial time.
To bring the fish “back to life”, it has to be soaked for couple of hours then boiled a few times. This will take off the salt then you can start making your dishes.
Fried Caribbean Saltfish Fritters
These fried Caribbean saltfish fritters is a great quick snack and a great way to cook saltfsih. It is easy to make and it is delicious.
Ingredients
- 8 oz Saltfish
- Fresh parsley
- Fresh thyme
- Scallions diced
- 2 medium Garlic cloves minced
- 2 medium Pimento peppers finely chopped
- 1 medium Onion finely chopped
- 1 medium Lime
- 1/2 medium Scotch bonnet pepper finely chopped
- 1/2 cup Water
- 1/2 cup Flour
- 1/2 tsp Baking powder
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
- Salt if necessary
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Soak the saltfish in cold water overnight. Being sure to change the water at least 2 times.
- Boil the saltfish for 10 minutes then strain and break up using a fork and remove the bones.
- Add the scallions, onion, pimento peppers, scotch bonnet pepper, garlic, thyme, parsley, flour and baking powder. Mix together.
- Stir in the water and lime juice.
- Heat a pot with enough oil to deep fry. Once it's hot, scoop about 1 tbsp of the batter to the pot. Fry on each side for 3-5 minutes.
