Ahhhh, my first Caribbean post! It’s been a long time coming. Excuse me… because I have been on island time since cooking these Conch Fritters. If you are contemplating making anything off my blog but don’t know where to start… start with these. They are creative, stunning, and super easy. Did I mention that they have the best crunch known to mankind? You are going to be feeling the salted ocean breeze from your kitchen window while you serve these. This recipe makes 12-15 fritters and makes a FANTASTIC appetizer to impressive your friends.
What is a Conch Fritter?
Conch Fritters are a Caribbean shellfish dish, particularly popular in the Bahamas. These appetizer sized fried fritters are typically made with conch meat native to the Caribbean. They consist of a doughy mixture with peppers, onion, and celery and are served with a limey spicy ketchup mayo. Extra lime! For this vegan version I will be substituting egg for flax meal, cow milk for oat milk, and conch meat for hearts of palm with seaweed.
What is Hearts of Palm?
Typically these fritters are made with conch meat, but since I don’t eat meat I will be turning these vegan. Hearts of Palm is the core of a palm tree and works swimmingly (puns?) as a seafood substitute. Frankly, hearts of palm is magical all on its own. It doesn’t get much more Caribbean then using a PALM TREE to make this dish!
TIP: You can find Hearts of Palm at ANY market. They are usually close to the artichoke hearts and you will find them in a can.
Dipping Sauce
It is definitely a sin to serve a fritter without a dipping sauce. This dipping sauce recipe is traditional to Conch Fritters and a Caribbean favorite. It is time for all you ketchup mixed with mayo lovers to go wild. *Chants* “One of us… one of us..” Blend these ingredients together for the perfect dip. The lime juice is a complete game changer.
- Ketchup
- Plant Mayo
- Fresh Lime Juice
- Cayenne Pepper
- Sriracha Hot Sauce
Other Recipes Using Hearts of Palm
If you are completely intrigued by hearts of palm, here are some of my other recipes using this wonderful plant. Did someone say vegan calamari with cocktail sauce?!
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Lynne Marie HoustonConsuming authentic Caribbean food can be an emotionally moving experience, not only in terms of the euphoria caused by its fresh ingredients, intense flavors, and spicy seasonings, but also in the awareness that diverse groups of people have had to come together in various state of contentment and discontentment in order to produce even just a morsel of a Caribbean meal.“
