Nicknamed "stamp and go" (the old order to sailors — pay and run), saltfish fritters are Jamaica's original fast food: flaked salted cod folded into a seasoned batter and fried crisp. Eat them hot as a snack, breakfast, or party food.

Ingredients

  • ½ lb salted cod (saltfish)
  • 1½ cups flour + 1 tsp baking powder
  • 2 scallions, chopped
  • ½ onion, finely chopped + 1 tomato, chopped
  • 1 scotch bonnet, minced (to taste)
  • 1 tsp thyme + black pepper
  • ~¾ cup water; oil for frying

Method

  1. Remove the salt: soak the cod overnight or boil it 1–2 times, changing the water. Flake it finely, removing skin and bones.
  2. In a bowl, mix the flour and baking powder with the scallion, onion, tomato, scotch bonnet, thyme, black pepper and flaked saltfish.
  3. Add water gradually until you have a thick batter that drops from a spoon.
  4. Heat about ½ inch of oil to medium-high. Drop in spoonfuls, flattening slightly, and fry 2–3 minutes per side until golden and crisp.
  5. Drain on a rack and serve hot, with a little extra pepper sauce if you like.

🐟 Taste the fish first

Saltfish saltiness varies a lot — taste a flake before mixing. If it's still very salty, boil once more; the batter has no added salt for this reason.