Recipe courtesy of Young Sun Huh

Black-Eyed Pea Fritters ("Accara")

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Although most recipes for accara usually begin with soaking dried black-eyed peas overnight, this recipe eliminates that step by using canned ones. We've also added a cornmeal crust to provide a crunchy contrast to the soft interior.
  • Level: Easy
  • Total: 1 hr 25 min
  • Prep: 20 min
  • Inactive: 30 min
  • Cook: 35 min
  • Yield: 24 fritters
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Ingredients

Fritters: 

Sauce:

Directions

Special equipment:
a deep-frying thermometer
  1. For the fritters: Place two-thirds of the black eyed peas, 1/4 cup of water, the olive oil, salt and pepper in a food processor and blend to a smooth paste. Add the remaining peas and the scallions and pulse 4 or 5 times to break up the peas but not completely puree them. Scoop about a heaping tablespoon of the mixture at a time into your hands and form about 24 balls. (The balls do not need to be perfectly round--they are more authentic if roughly formed.) Put the cornmeal in a shallow baking dish. Roll the balls in the cornmeal, leaving them in the baking dish, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  2. For the sauce: Heat the peanut oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the habaneros and onions and cook until the onions are soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, salt and black pepper. When the tomatoes start to break down and get soft, put a lid on the pan, lower the heat and simmer for about 10 minutes. Let the sauce cool slightly, and then blend in a food processor until smooth. 
  3. Pour 2 to 3 inches of peanut oil in a large heavy-bottomed pan or Dutch oven. Heat over medium heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil registers 375 degrees F. Fry the fritters, in 2 or 3 batches, about 4 minutes per batch. Remove to drain on a paper-towel-lined baking sheet. Season lightly with salt and serve with the spicy tomato sauce on the side.

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