Sweet Potato Shrimp Fritters

Sweet Potato Shrimp Fritters

Sweet Potato Shrimp Fritters

So why is there what looks to be a Vietnamese recipe in Senegal? Like Vietnam, Senegal was colonized by France. Many Senegalese fought for France in Vietnam during the Indochina war; many bringing back Vietnamese wives to Senegal. With the connection through France, Senegal saw an increase of Vietnamese, developing a fusion of Senegalese and Vietnamese cuisine. Today, it is common to see spring rolls and shrimp cakes on Senegalese menus.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Senegalese
Keyword: appetizer, seafood, Senegalese, West African
Author: Alex Gorgos

Ingredients

  • 8 oz shrimp peeled and deveined; finely chopped
  • 8 oz sweet potato grated
  • 2 green onions chopped
  • 2 tsp fish sauce
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup flour plus more
  • 1 large egg beaten
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • vegetable oil for frying

Nuoc Cham Dipping Sauce

  • 3 tbsp fish sauce
  • 1 1/2 tbsp lime juice
  • 1 tbsp water
  • 1/2 tbsp sugar
  • 1 red bird’s eye chili finely chopped
  • 1 large garlic clove finely chopped

Instructions

  • Combine all of the dipping sauce ingredients. Set aside.
    Senegalese, appetizer, seafood
  • Mix together the shrimp, sweet potato, green onion, fish sauce, salt, and pepper.
    Senegalese, appetizer, seafood
  • Mix in the flour, egg, and baking powder until a batter is formed. If the batter is too wet, add in an extra tbsp of flour.
    Senegalese, appetizer, seafood
  • Heat up a 1/4” of cooking oil in a frying pan over medium high heat. Drop a 1/4” cup of the batter in clumps into the oil. Slightly flatten with the back of a spoon.
    Senegalese, appetizer, seafood
  • Fry the fritters for 4-5 minutes a side until crispy, making sure not to overcrowd the pan.
    Senegalese, appetizer, seafood
  • Drain the grease on a rack.
    Senegalese, appetizer, seafood
Senegalese, appetizer, seafood
Serve the fritters with the dipping sauce.