Akara (Black-Eyed Pea Fritters)

Name: Akara (Black-Eyed Pea Fritters)
Prep time: 24 h
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 24 h 30 min
Yield: 10 fritters, 4 serving(s)
Ingredients: 3 cups dried black-eyed peas; 1 large fresh onion, finely chopped; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1 teaspoon sweet green peppers (to taste) or 1 teaspoon sweet red pepper, finely chopped (to taste); 1 pinch cayenne pepper (to taste) or 1 pinch red pepper (to taste); 1/2 teaspoon fresh ginger, peeled and minced or 3 pinches powdered ginger; 2 cups vegetable oil (for frying)

Submitted by daboutans

"Note that Akara take at least an entire day to prepare, in order to allow the black-eyed peas to soak and the batter to rest. These fritters (known as accra, akara, akla, binch akara, bean balls, kosai, koose, kose, koosé, and kwasi) are commonly prepared at home for breakfast, for snacks, or as an appetizer or side dish."

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Ready In:: 24hrs 30mins
Ingredients:: 7
Yields:: 10 fritters
Serves:: 4

ingredients

3 cups dried black-eyed peas
1 large fresh onion, finely chopped
¹⁄₂ teaspoon salt
1 1 teaspoon sweet green peppers (to taste) or 1 teaspoon sweet red pepper, finely chopped (to taste)
1 pinch cayenne pepper (to taste) or 1 pinch red pepper (to taste)
¹⁄₂ teaspoon fresh ginger, peeled and minced or 3 pinches powdered ginger
2 cups vegetable oil (for frying)

directions

Clean the black-eyed peas in running water. Soak them in water for at least a few hours or overnight. After soaking them, rub them together between your hands to remove the skins. Rinse to wash away the skins and any other debris. Drain them in a colander.
Crush, grind, or mash the black-eyed peas into a thick paste. Add enough water to form a smooth, thick paste of a batter that will cling to a spoon. Add all other ingredients (except oil). Some people allow the batter to stand for a few hours (overnight in the refrigerator); doing so improves the flavor.
Heat oil in a deep skillet. Beat the batter with a wire whisk or wooden spoon for a few minutes. Make fritters by scooping up a spoon full of batter and using another spoon to quickly push it into the hot oil. Deep fry the fritters until they are golden brown. Turn them frequently while frying. (If the fritters fall apart in the oil, stir in a beaten egg, some cornmeal or crushed breadcrumbs.).
Serve with an African Hot Sauce or salt, as a snack, an appetizer, or a side dish.
Variation: Add a half cup of finely chopped leftover cooked meat to the batter before frying; or add a similar amount dried shrimp or prawns.