Bacalaíto
Bacalaítos are salt cod fritters, a traditional Puerto Rican snack that typically is eaten with an entire meal. Bacalaítos are served at the beach, cuchifritos, and at festivals. They are crisp on the outside and dense and chewy in the inside.
Description
In Puerto Rico bacalaítos are served all over the island in different versions. The salted cod is soaked in milk and water over night to remove most of the salt, or is boiled usualy three time in milk and water. Then cod is then drained and shredded in to a large bowl with all-purpose flour, sofrito or recaíto, herbs such as oregano, sage, and thyme and spices such as pepper, cumin and annatto. The cod is then worked into the batter until every piece is coated well. Water with a splash of milk or beer is then added. The cod is then deep-fried and when done should resemble a pancake. Some people add egg or baking powder and replace cod for crab meat (crabalaítos).
In the Dominican Republic bacalaítos or also eaten with meals. Just like Puerto Rican bacalaítos they are soaked or boiled before working in to a batter but flavors differ. Dominicans add a small amount of cornstarch and sugar, onion, milk, water, cilantro, parsley, and egg.