Akara

Ingredients

• 2 cups black-eyed peas
• 1 medium red onion
• ½ tsp red pepper, to taste
• ½ tsp salt
• peanut oil (preferred) or other vegetable oil for frying

Directions

1. Soak peas overnight.
2. Drain and pound with masher to loosen skins, floating them off in running water or spread on a board and use rolling pin to rub skins loose.
3. Soak further, if necessary, until peas can be crushed.
4. Grind puree in blender, adding water as needed to a smooth consistency (like pancake batter).
5. Grind very finely onion and peppers, if fresh, and add to beans in blender.
6. Heat oil to 350 °F – 375 °F in deep fryer.
7. Drop mixture by teaspoonful into hot oil and fry until deep brown.
8. Drain on paper towel.
9. Many Africans sprinkle the fried beans with additional red pepper.
10. Eat them warm.
11. Use as warm snacks or as a bread substitute.