Salvadoran FoodSalvadoran dried shrimp and potato fritters with loroco cream and purple cabbage slaw
An original recipe inspired by traditional Salvadoran flavors: golden potato fritters seasoned with dried shrimp and herbs, served with a silky loroco cream and a fresh purple cabbage slaw. Crisp outside, tender inside, with savory, floral, and lightly tangy notes.
Ingredients
- 600 g potatoes, peeled and cubed (for cocer and hacer puree)
- 80 g dried shrimp (enjuagado lightly and chopped fino)
- 100 g white onion (finely chopped, divided)
- 10 g garlic (chopped fino)
- 15 g fresh cilantro (chopped)
- 1 unit egg (for ligar the mezcla)
- 35 g rice flour (for dar estructura)
- 5 g salt (divided, to taste)
- 2 g black pepper (freshly ground)
- 60 ml vegetable oil (for frying and sofreír, divided)
- 40 g loroco buds (chopped si está whole)
- 180 ml Salvadoran cream (for the cream of loroco)
- 60 ml milk (for aligerar the cream)
- 180 g purple cabbage (finely rebanado)
- 70 g carrot (grated)
- 30 ml white vinegar (for the curtido)
- 30 ml lime juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1 g dried oregano (for the curtido)
- 4 g sugar (for balancear the curtido)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
1. Place the potatoes in a pot with enough water and 2 g (1/2 tsp) salt. Cook over medium heat until tender, about 15 to 18 minutes. Drain well and mash until thick and smooth. Let cool for 10 minutes.
- 2
2. While the potatoes cook, heat 15 ml (1 tbsp) vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add half of the onion and all the garlic; sauté for 2 minutes. Stir in the chopped dried shrimp and cook 2 to 3 minutes more, stirring, until fragrant. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
- 3
3. In a large bowl, mix the mashed potatoes, dried shrimp mixture, cilantro, egg, rice flour, 1 g (1/4 tsp) salt, and black pepper. Mix until you have an even mixture that can be shaped. If it feels too wet, let it rest for 5 minutes so the rice flour can absorb moisture.
- 4
4. For the slaw, combine the purple cabbage, carrot, remaining onion, white vinegar, lime juice, dried oregano, sugar, and 2 g (1/2 tsp) salt in another bowl. Mix well with clean hands and let stand for at least 15 minutes.
- 5
5. For the loroco cream, heat 15 ml (1 tbsp) vegetable oil in a small skillet over medium-low heat. Add the loroco and cook for 1 minute. Add the Salvadoran cream, milk, and a pinch of salt; cook gently for 2 to 3 minutes without bringing to a hard boil, until slightly thickened. Keep warm.
- 6
6. Shape the potato mixture into 8 fritters, about 1.5 cm (1/2 in) thick each. For firmer fritters, chill them for 10 minutes before frying.
- 7
7. Heat the remaining vegetable oil in a wide skillet over medium heat until it reaches about 350°F/175°C. Fry the fritters in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until deeply golden and crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
- 8
8. If you prefer to finish the fritters in the oven, preheat the oven to 400°F/200°C and bake them for 5 minutes after frying so they become drier on the outside.
- 9
9. Serve the fritters hot with the warm loroco cream spooned over or on the side, along with the purple cabbage slaw.
- 10
10. Add a few extra drops of lime juice over the fritters just before serving if you want a brighter flavor.
Chef tips
For a crispier texture, chill the potato mixture before shaping the fritters. If the dried shrimp is very salty, rinse it quickly and pat it dry well before chopping.
Substitutions
You can replace the rice flour with cornstarch in the same amount. If Salvadoran cream is unavailable, use thick cream or crema. Loroco can be replaced with chopped izote flower, though the flavor will change.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageNinja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
Illustrative imageCosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
Illustrative imageTempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
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