Salvadoran FoodSalvadoran fresh bean and chilacayote fritters with hard cheese, pickled onion slaw, and alguashte tomato sauce
An original recipe inspired by traditional Salvadoran flavors: golden fritters made with cooked fresh beans and grated chilacayote, bound with egg and a touch of flour, then mixed with grated hard cheese. They are served with a quick pickled onion slaw and a homemade roasted tomato sauce finished with toasted alguashte.
Ingredients
- 300 g shelled fresh beans (cocidos hasta tiernos and escurridos)
- 250 g grated chilacayote squash (well escurrido)
- 80 g grated hard Salvadoran cheese (or queso duro blando firme)
- 2 unit egg (lightly batidos)
- 35 g all-purpose flour (for dar estructura)
- 60 g finely chopped white onion (for the mezcla of tortitas)
- 15 g chopped cilantro (divided)
- 6 g minced garlic (divided)
- 6 g salt (divided or to taste)
- 1 g black pepper (or to taste)
- 60 ml vegetable oil (for frying and saltear)
- 300 g ripe tomato (for the sauce)
- 18 g ground toasted pumpkin seed seasoning (alguashte)
- 20 g green chile (without semillas for menos picor)
- 120 ml water (for ajustar the sauce)
- 100 g red onion, thinly sliced (for the curtido)
- 45 ml white vinegar (for the curtido)
- 30 ml lime juice (fresh)
- 4 g sugar (for balancear the curtido)
- 1 g dried oregano (for 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 cooked fresh beans in a bowl and mash about half of them with a fork, leaving the rest whole for texture.
- 2
2. Wrap the grated chilacayote in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze it well to remove excess moisture. Add it to the bowl with the fresh beans.
- 3
3. Add the grated hard cheese, chopped white onion, half of the cilantro, half of the garlic, the eggs, all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Mix until you have a moist but shapeable mixture. Let it rest for 5 minutes if needed.
- 4
4. For the slaw, combine the red onion, white vinegar, lime juice, sugar, dried oregano, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in another bowl. Toss well and let it sit while you prepare the rest.
- 5
5. For the sauce, heat a skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Roast the tomatoes and green chile for 8 to 10 minutes, turning them until lightly charred outside and soft inside. If you prefer to use the oven, roast them at 400 °F / 200 °C for 15 to 20 minutes.
- 6
6. Blend or mash the roasted tomatoes, green chile, remaining garlic, water, and alguashte into a rustic sauce.
- 7
7. Heat 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Pour in the sauce, add 1/4 teaspoon salt, and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring, until slightly thickened. Turn off the heat and stir in the remaining cilantro.
- 8
8. Heat the remaining vegetable oil in a wide skillet over medium heat, about 350 °F / 175 °C if using a thermometer.
- 9
9. Shape the fresh bean and chilacayote mixture into 8 fritters, compacting them with your hands or a spoon. Fry in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side until deeply golden and firm. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
- 10
10. Serve the fritters hot with the alguashte tomato sauce on top or on the side, and finish with the lightly drained pickled onion slaw.
Chef tips
Squeezing the chilacayote thoroughly is the key to fritters that hold together. If the mixture feels too wet, add 1 extra tablespoon of flour. If it feels too dry, add 1 tablespoon of water.
Substitutions
You can substitute the chilacayote with grated, well-drained chayote. The hard cheese can be replaced with firm crumbled fresh cheese, although the texture will be slightly softer. If you do not have alguashte, use toasted ground pumpkin seeds for a different but compatible flavor.
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 imageT-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan
Eggs, omelets and stir-fries
- Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
- Comfortable, sturdy handle
- Use wooden or silicone utensils
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