Grouper Fritters! These fish fritters that can be baked or fried are a taste of the Keys with their crisp exterior and seasoned interior.
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A favorite destination for Ernest Hemingway, Jimmy Buffett {and me!}, Key West is known for its palm-lined streets, laid back attitude and fish that is fresh enough to lure in any committed culinary traveler.
With a distinct mixture of cultures, the island is not only home to a strong seafood scene, but a tantalizing fusion of cuisines that are as unique as its inhabitants.
These Grouper Fritters are the exact type of food you can expect to find in the Keys -- fresh, flavorful and absolutely mouthwatering.
Similar to the conch fritter, the grouper is mixed with onions, carrots and a traditional Key West seafood seasoning by Key West Spice Company that is made of celery seed, salt, paprika, and red pepper.
Fry them up or bake them, the choice is yours!
This recipe was shared by Chef Paul Menta.
Ingredients
- Fresh grouper
- Onion
- Carrots
- Key West Seafood Seasoning (or your favorite fish and seafood seasoning)
- Egg yolk
- Key lime juice (or regular lime juice)
- All-purpose flour
- Coconut oil (for frying)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F. Prepare a sheet tray by lining with foil. (If you want to fry these, heat coconut oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Prepare a plate or tray by lining with paper towels to catch the excess oil when the fritters are done frying.)
In a large bowl, combine chopped grouper, onions, and carrots.
Add Key West Seafood Seasoning. Mix all together with 1 egg yolk and 2 tablespoons of Key lime juice.
Sprinkle in about ½ cup of flour and mix until it starts to form a scoopable batter.
Use a spoon {or a mini ice cream scoop} to make balls. Place each onto prepared sheet tray and flatten slightly with your hand. Bake for about 18-22 minutes until they are browned and fully cooked through. {Or fry in coconut oil for 5 minutes on each side, or until browned and cooked through.}
For more information on Key West dining, bar hopping and other activities, check out my Key West vacation recap {Part 1 and Part 2} where I also share recipes for famous Key Lime Pie, a cocktail and island-inspired popcorn!
Grouper Fritters
Ingredients
- 1 pound grouper roughly chopped by hand or pulsed in a food processor
- ½ cup onion finely diced
- ½ cup carrots finely diced
- 1½ tablespoons Key West Seafood Seasoning or your favorite fish and seafood seasoning
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 tablespoons Key lime juice or regular lime juice
- ½ cup flour
- ¼ cup coconut oil for frying
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Prepare a sheet tray by lining with foil. {If you want to fry these, heat coconut oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Prepare a plate or tray by lining with paper towels to catch the excess oil when the fritters are done frying.
- In a large bowl, combine chopped grouper, onions, and carrots.
- Add Key West Seafood Seasoning. Mix all together with 1 egg yolk and 2 tablespoons of Key lime juice.
- Sprinkle in about ½ cup of flour and mix until it starts to form a scoopable batter.
- Use a spoon {or a mini ice cream scoop} to make balls. Place each onto prepared sheet tray and flatten slightly with your hand. Bake for about 18-22 minutes until they are browned and fully cooked through. {Or fry in coconut oil for 5 minutes on each side, or until browned and cooked through.}
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