Frituras de carita (black eyed pea fritters)

Yield: 20 Servings

Ingredients:

1/2 lb Dried black-eyed peas

Instructions:

-rinsed in cold water -picked over And soaked overnight in -cold water to cover -changing the water Several times 4 ea Cloves garlic crushed 2 ts Salt 1 ts Freshly ground black pepper 4 ea To 6 tablespoons water Peanut or vegetable oil for -frying Fresh line juice to taste 1 ea When the peas have -softened remove their -skins (just rub them Off) soak an additional 30 -minutes drain and rinse. 2 ea In a food processor fitted -with a steel blade -process the peas garlic Salt and pepper. With the -motor running add the -water through the Feed tube and continue -processing until the puree -is smooth and Thick. 5 ea Preheat the oven to 250 -degrees. In a large -heavy-bottomed skillet Or deep fryer over -medium-high heat heat 2 -to 3 inches of oil to 375 Degrees or until a drop of -batter sizzles when it -touches the oil and Fry 1 tablespoon of batter -until golden brown. Taste -for seasoning and Adjust if necessary in the -remaining batter then -drop the mixture by tb Into the hot oil and fry -the fritters until golden -brown On all sides turning with -a slotted spoon. Do not -fry too many at Once or the oil -temperature will fall and -they will be soggy rather Than crisp. Place the -fritters on a -paper-towel-lined platter -in the oven Until all have been cooked -and serve hot sprinkled -with salt and lime Juice. Makes 20 to 24 fritters Mary Urrutia Randelman "Memories of a -Cuban Kitchen" (Macmillan -1992) FRITURAS DE CARITA -Black-Eyed Pea Fritters