Portugal · Portugal

Pastéis de Bacalhau (Portuguese Salt Cod Fritters)

Name: Pastéis de Bacalhau (Portuguese Salt Cod Fritters)
Prep time: 60 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 90 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Portugal
Ingredients: salt cod, soaked overnight 400 g; potatoes, peeled 500 g; yellow onion, chopped 80 g; flat-leaf parsley, chopped 20 g; large eggs 2 pieces; lemon zest 4 g; black pepper 2 g; plain flour 30 g; vegetable oil, for frying 1000 ml; lemon wedges, to serve 4 pieces

Crisp golden fritters of salt cod and potato, fragrant with parsley and lemon.

90 minutes · 6 servings · Moderate

Pastéis de bacalhau are Lisbon street food at their most portable, sold by the bolinha from kiosks on streets like Rua da Bica. The salt cod has to be soaked and boiled until it flakes, then bound with potato and parsley so the fritter holds together without needing egg at all. They are best eaten straight from the paper cone while the outside is still crackling.

Ingredients

salt cod, soaked overnight400 g
potatoes, peeled500 g
yellow onion, chopped80 g
flat-leaf parsley, chopped20 g
large eggs2 pieces
lemon zest4 g
black pepper2 g
plain flour30 g
vegetable oil, for frying1000 ml
lemon wedges, to serve4 pieces

Directions

1
Boil soaked salt cod 10 minutes; drain, flake and remove bones.
cod flakes easily
2
Boil potatoes 20 minutes until very soft; mash.
3
Combine flaked cod, mashed potato, sautéed onion, parsley, eggs, lemon zest, pepper and flour; mix until smooth.
4
Chill 30 minutes to firm up.
5
Scoop small portions; fry in 170°C oil 4 minutes until golden.
fritters are golden and crisp
6
Drain on paper towels 2 minutes; serve with lemon wedges.

Source: WorldBite Editorial · WorldBite Proprietary Editorial Content