Salvadoran FoodSalvadoran sweet corn and spinach fritters with fresh curd, roasted tomato sauce, and pickled cucumber
An original recipe inspired by homestyle flavors from El Salvador: tender sweet corn and spinach fritters mixed with fresh curd, griddled until golden, and served with a roasted tomato sauce and a fresh, lightly tangy pickled cucumber salad.
Ingredients
- 300 g sweet corn kernels (si es fresh, cocido brevemente; also puede ser congelado and descongelado)
- 80 g chopped spinach (without stalks gruesos)
- 120 g Salvadoran fresh curd cheese, crumbled (or queso fresh suave)
- 70 g corn flour (harina of maíz fina, no flakes)
- 1 unit egg (beaten)
- 60 g white onion, finely chopped (divided for mezcla and sauce)
- 6 g minced garlic (divided)
- 6 g salt (divided to taste en mezcla, sauce and curtido)
- 1 g ground black pepper (or to taste)
- 45 ml vegetable oil (divided for cocinar and sazonar)
- 400 g ripe tomatoes (partidos por the mitad)
- 40 g green chili pepper (without semillas if desired menos picante)
- 1 g dried oregano (for the sauce)
- 180 g cucumber (en medias lunas finas)
- 30 ml white vinegar (for the curtido)
- 4 g sugar (for balancear the curtido)
- 10 g chopped fresh cilantro (for terminar the curtido and decorar)
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. Preheat the oven to 425°F / 220°C. Place the tomatoes, green chili, half of the chopped onion, and half of the garlic on a tray. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, add a pinch of salt, and roast for 18 minutes, or until the tomatoes are soft and lightly charred around the edges.
- 2
2. While the vegetables roast, make the pickle. In a bowl, combine the cucumber, white vinegar, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and half of the chopped cilantro. Toss well and let it rest for 15 minutes so the flavors develop.
- 3
3. For the fritter mixture, place the sweet corn in a bowl. Lightly mash half of the corn with a fork or pulse briefly in a processor to help bind the mixture, leaving the rest whole. Add the chopped spinach, crumbled fresh curd cheese, corn flour, beaten egg, remaining onion, remaining garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Mix until you have a thick, moist batter.
- 4
4. Remove the roasted tomatoes, chili, onion, and garlic from the oven. Blend or mash them with the dried oregano and 2 tablespoons water until you have a rustic sauce. Taste and adjust with an extra pinch of salt if needed.
- 5
5. Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat, about 350°F / 175°C at the surface. Add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil. Shape 8 fritters from the mixture, using about 2 tablespoons per fritter, and place them in the pan without overcrowding.
- 6
6. Cook the fritters for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until golden on the outside and set inside. Add the remaining tablespoon of oil as needed to finish all batches.
- 7
7. Warm the roasted tomato sauce in a small saucepan over low heat for 2 to 3 minutes, just until gently simmering.
- 8
8. Serve the fritters hot over a spoonful of roasted tomato sauce or with the sauce on the side. Top with the pickled cucumber and the remaining cilantro. If you like, spoon over a little of the pickling liquid just before serving for extra freshness.
Chef tips
If the mixture feels too wet because of the corn, add 1 to 2 extra tablespoons of corn flour. If it feels too dry, add 1 tablespoon of water. Cook the fritters over medium heat so the fresh curd does not leak out before they set.
Substitutions
The fresh curd cheese can be replaced with mild queso fresco. The spinach can be swapped for finely chopped young chard. The green chili can be omitted for a milder sauce.
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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