Bahamian Conch Fritters are a delicious, iconic dish from the Bahamas. Fritters are made with conch meat, a type of shellfish, mixed with a seasoned batter and fried until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
Ingredients:
1 pound fresh conch meat (or substitute with other seafood like shrimp if needed)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup cornmeal (optional) not traditional
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon thyme (optional)
1 small onion, finely chopped
1/2 bell pepper, finely chopped
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup water
Hot sauce (optional)
Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions:
Prepare the Conch:
If using fresh conch, clean and finely chop the conch meat into small pieces.
If using canned conch, drain and chop it finely.
Make the Batter:
In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme (if using).
Stir in the chopped onion, bell pepper, and garlic.
Add the beaten egg, milk, and water to the mixture and stir until the batter is well combined. The batter should be thick enough to hold together but not too stiff.
Add the Conch:
Gently fold in the chopped conch meat into the batter.
Fry the Fritters:
Heat about 1-2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep frying pan over medium-high heat.
Once the oil is hot (about 350°F/175°C), drop spoonfuls of the fritter batter into the hot oil, flattening them slightly with the back of the spoon.
Fry the fritters for 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy.
Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the oil and drain on paper towels.
Serve:
Serve the fritters hot with your favorite dipping sauce, such as spicy ketchup, tartar sauce, or a Bahamian hot sauce for an extra kick.
Enjoy your Bahamian Conch Fritters as an appetizer or snack!