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Salted Cod Fritters (Pataniscas de Bacalhau)

These simple-but-delicious Pataniscas de Bacalhau are a great option to round up an easy meal or to serve as a yummy snack or appetizer.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Main Course, Snack
Cuisine: Portuguese
Keyword: Cod, Dairy-free, Fish
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Hellen | VivaHappy.com

Equipment

  • Electric mixer

Ingredients

  • 350 g salted cod pre-soak to remove excess salt and shred into small pieces
  • 1 onion medium or ½ large, grated
  • 3 tbsp parsley finely chopped
  • 3 eggs
  • ½ cup beer 120ml or 4oz
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • black pepper ground, to taste
  • vegetable oil enough to deep fry

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, mix the pre-soaked and shredded cod (small pieces) with the grated onion and the chopped parsley.
  • Separate the yolks from the egg whites, add the yolks to the cod mixture and reserve the whites in a medium bowl.
  • Add the beer to the cod and mix well.
  • Then add the flour, baking powder, salt, pepper and mix again.
  • Beat the egg whites into firm peaks and gently fold in the dough. Let the mixture rest for a few minutes.
  • Heat the oil (180°C / 350°F) in a large skillet. Add large spoonfuls of dough to the oil, and let them fry until golden on both sides, turning as needed.
  • Remove the fritters from the oil when ready and drain on a plate lined with paper towels. Repeat with remaining dough until finished.
  • Transfer to a serving platter, sprinkle with more chopped parsley, add some lemon wedges, and enjoy!

Notes

  • The recipe yields about 12 large fritters to serve as a main dish, and they go very well with the traditional Rice with Beans and a simple salad.
  • You can make mini pataniscas by frying smaller portions of dough and serving them as snacks/appetizers.
  • The same dough can be used as a base for pataniscas with shrimp (use small shrimp, deveined and shells removed), tuna (canned, drained), shredded chicken, and/or vegetables such as zucchini (courgette), grated carrots, chopped fresh mushrooms, spinach, etc.
  • Don't let the oil get too hot, or the fritters (especially the larger ones) may brown on the outside and stay raw on the inside.