Fish Cakes, Portuguese-Style

Face_Hole's Note:

Addictive little fritters that can be eaten hot, warm or cold. Watch them disappear from the table as appetizers or eat a bunch of them as main dish. Traditional Azores recipe.

• Total Time: 1 hrs
• Prep Time: 45 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 6-8

Yield: 30.0 fish ca ...

• 1 lb white fish fillet (preferably 1 lb salt cod*)
• 3 medium potatoes
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1 onion, minced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tablespoons hot sauce
• 1 tablespoon ground pepper
• 1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt (only if needed)
• 1 quart oil

Directions:

1. (*If using salt cod: let it soak in water overnight to remove extra salt before using in recipe. Change the water 1-2 times.).
2. In a large pot put the fish and the (unpeeled, uncut) potatoes, cover with water and bring to boil. Lower heat then let everything simmer 15 minutes. Remove fish from the pot and let cool; keep cooking the potatoes until tender.
3. Remove potatoes, peel and mash.
4. Shred the fish by hand or with a food processor. Mix with the potatoes and the rest of ingredients (but the oil). Season to taste. With two soup spoons (traditionally) or with your wet hands (easier) form about 30 small oval-shaped balls (around 1 tbsp each).
5. In deep solid pot heat about 3" of oil until hot. Drop 4-5 balls at a time and fry until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and let cool on paper towels 10-15 minutes before tasting.
6. Serve with a dip, or drizzled with hot sauce.