Bolinho de Bacalhau (Salt-Cod Fritters)
A Brazilian snack built around cod and potatoes — on the table in 75 minutes.
✓ USDA-verified nutrition data
360 calories
22g protein
28g carbs
18g fat
2g fiber
Ingredients
- 1 lb Cod
- 1.5 lb Potatoes
- 3 Eggs
- 1 Onion
- 2 cloves Garlic
- 0.5 cup Parsley
- 3 cups Olive oil
- 1 tsp Black pepper
- 0.25 tsp Nutmeg
Steps
- Desalt the cod by soaking 24 hours in the fridge, changing the water 3 times. Taste a flake — it should taste pleasantly salty, like the sea, not like a salt lick.
- Poach the cod 10 minutes until it flakes, then shred finely, discarding skin and bones. Boil the potatoes until tender and rice them while hot.
- Mix the cod, potatoes, grated onion, garlic, parsley, beaten eggs, pepper, and nutmeg into a firm, cohesive mixture. It should hold its shape when squeezed.
- Shape into quenelles with two spoons — the classic oval — or small balls. Chill 20 minutes so they firm up.
- Fry at 350°F in batches, 3 to 4 minutes, until deep golden and crisp all over.
- Drain on a rack and serve hot with lemon wedges. The ideal bolinho is crisp outside, pillowy inside, and gone in two bites.