Conch Fritters - Key West Comfort Food

Seafood Chowder, Fritters and Cheese Crusted Grouper

© Vicki F. Chavis

Feb 10, 2009

Most likely originating from the Bahamas or the Florida Keys, conch was a two-for-one find. With its gorgeous outer shell and its inner source of protein, it fed both the stomach and the spirit of man. The shells have been used as musical instruments, tools, ceremonial objects and jewelry, such as the long-loved cameo.

There are certain recipes which clearly represent the place they hail from. Soft, fluffy conch fritters might just be one of those recipes even if conch has to be imported into Key West these days since the mighty conch move too slow and we eat them too fast. Dipped in a Key Lime Mayo sauce, these fritters will be the recipe to hold onto all spring while dreaming of summer.

Conch Fritters

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 lbs minced conch meat
• 1 Tblsp minced garlic
• 1-1/2 Tblsp diced jalapenos
• 1 Tblsp minced onion
• 1 Tblsp diced celery
• 2 Tblsp minced scallions
• 2 Tblsp diced red bell pepper
• 2 Tblsp chopped parsley
• 4 eggs (or eggbeaters equivalent)
• 3 cups flour
• 1 Tblsp baking powder
• salt, pepper, cayenne pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Combine ingredients in mixing bowl (except flour and baking powder), sift together and blend into mixture.
2. Season with salt, pepper, cayenne pepper.
3. Deep fry in vegetable oil till golden brown.
4. Serve with lemon caper mayo or Key lime mayo.

Makes approximately 36 fritters.

Lemon-Caper Mayo

• 2 cups mayo
• 2 Tblsp capers
• juice of 1 lemon
• 1 Tblsp Dijon mustard

Blend well and serve.

Key Lime Mayo

• 1 cup mayo
• 1 tsp sugar
• 2 Tblsp Dijon mustard
• 2 Tblsp Key Lime Juice (bottled or fresh)
• 3 splashes Tabasco sauce
• salt to taste

Chill after mixing.

Seafood Chowder

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 lbs mixed halibut, cod, whitefish
• 6 ozs crab meat
• 3 med potatoes
• 1 lg Vidalia onion
• 3/4 celery
• 1/4 chopped green (or red) pepper
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 cups clam juice (canned)
• 1-1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1/4 tsp marjoram
• 1 small can clams

Directions:

1. Cut fish into 1-inch chunks. Slice crab meat. Cut potatoes into 1/2 inch pieces. Peel and thinly slice onion.
2. Saute onion, celery, green (or red) pepper and garlic in butter in saucepan. Add clam juice and seasonings. Cover and simmer for 30 mins. Add fish, potatoes and clams. Cover and simmer about ten minutes. Add crab meat. Simmer a few minutes more till the potatoes are soft.

Cheese Crusted Grouper

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs grouper fillets
• 1/2 cup Caeser Salad dressing
• 1/2 cup cornflake crumbs
• 1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese (or any favorite cheese)

Directions:

1. Place fish in single layer in a baking dish.
2. Pour dressing over fillets, cover. Marinate in refrigerator for several hours, turn fish every hour.
3. Combine crumbs and cheese; mix well. Roll fish in crumb mixture. Place fish in crumb mixture.
4. Placed fish in well greased baking pan and sprinkle remaining crumb mixture over fish.
5. Bake in preheated oven at 450° for 15-20 mins. or until fish flakes. Makes 6 servings.

Try these fish dishes from the heart of the Conch Republic, also known as the Florida Keys. Enjoy the flavor while dreaming of turquoise seas lapping on white sands to the music of Jimmy Buffet. To purchase conch online, go to the Fresh Choice Seafood website. Cheers!

For more delicious fish recipes, try great grouper recipes on the grill, or easy fish dishes.

Conch Fritters

Conch Meat

Conch Shell

Fresh Choice Seafood

Conch Republic Dining

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