Puerto Rican Bacalaitos

[lomiloml]

I recently tried making Puerto Rican Bacalaitos, and they were absolutely delicious! These crispy salt cod fritters are a popular street food in Puerto Rico, perfect as an appetizer or snack. The combination of salted cod with a flavorful batter makes for a tasty and satisfying treat. Here’s how you can make your own Bacalaitos at home:

Ingredients:​

• 1 lb (450g) salted cod fish (bacalao)
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 1/2 cups water (or as needed)
• Vegetable oil (for frying)
• Lime wedges (for serving)

Instructions:​

1. Prepare the Salted Cod:​

• Rinse the salted cod under cold water to remove excess salt.
• Place the cod in a large bowl and cover with cold water. Let it soak for at least 4 hours, changing the water several times, to desalinate.
• Once desalinated, drain the cod and place it in a pot with fresh water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 20 minutes until the fish is tender.
• Drain the cod and let it cool. Once cooled, flake the fish into small pieces, removing any bones and skin.

2. Make the Batter:​

• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and oregano.
• Add the flaked cod, chopped cilantro, finely chopped onion, and minced garlic to the flour mixture.
• Gradually add water to the mixture, stirring until you have a thick batter. The consistency should be similar to pancake batter.

3. Fry the Bacalaitos:​

• In a large skillet or deep fryer, heat about 1 inch of vegetable oil over medium-high heat until hot.
• Using a spoon or small ladle, drop spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil, flattening them slightly with the back of the spoon.
• Fry the bacalaitos in batches until golden brown and crispy on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side.
• Remove the fritters with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

4. Serve:​

• Serve the bacalaitos hot, with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the fritters.

Conclusion​

Puerto Rican Bacalaitos are a delightful and crispy treat that bring a taste of the Caribbean to your kitchen. The combination of salted cod and flavorful batter makes these fritters a perfect appetizer or snack. Enjoy them with a squeeze of lime and imagine yourself on a sunny beach in Puerto Rico!

 

[Kento Nanami]

Bacalaitos sound so bomb! Thanks for sharing the recipe, I'm def gonna try making these crispy fritters soon—love that Puerto Rican flavor! The lime twist is everything!