Indian-Style Split Pea Fritters

Indian-Style Split Pea Fritters are a delicious and flavorful snack or appetizer commonly found in Indian cuisine. This recipe, inspired by Julie Sahni’s Classic Indian Cooking, delivers a crispy exterior while maintaining a fresh and vibrant interior. By soaking the split peas in advance, you can shorten the cooking time and enjoy these fritters in no time. The combination of spices, herbs, and aromatics adds depth to the fritters, making them a delightful treat.

MAKES: 4 to 8 servings

TIME: 3 to 4 hours, mostly soaking time

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup yellow or green split peas, washed and picked over, soaked (see page 412) if possible
• Peanut or other oil, for frying
• 1 jalapeño or other hot fresh or dried chile, seeded and minced (adjust according to your spice preference)
• 1 1/2 inches fresh ginger, roughly chopped
• 1 small clove garlic, peeled
• 1/2 cup fresh cilantro (including some stems)
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon ground fenugreek
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 to 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (if needed)
• Lime wedges, for serving

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Soak the split peas in water to cover for at least 3 hours, if possible. Drain the soaked peas but leave them wet.
2. In a large, deep saucepan, heat at least 3 inches of oil over medium-high heat. Allow the oil to heat while you prepare the fritter mixture. It should reach a temperature of 365-375°F (185-190°C). Preheat the oven to 200°F (95°C) to keep the cooked fritters warm.
3. In a food processor, combine the drained split peas, jalapeño (or chile), ginger, garlic, cilantro, ground coriander, ground cumin, and ground fenugreek. Process the mixture until it forms a coarse purée. It should not be completely smooth, but there should be no whole peas remaining. Add a couple of tablespoons of water if needed to facilitate blending.
4. Stir in the chopped onion and season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning if necessary. The consistency of the mixture should be fairly loose. If it is too thick, add a little water. If it is too runny, add a tablespoon or two of all-purpose flour.
5. Drop the fritter mixture by heaping tablespoons into the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook the fritters until they turn lightly browned and crisp, turning them if necessary. The total cooking time will be around 3 to 4 minutes.
6. Once cooked, drain the fritters on paper towels to remove excess oil. Keep them warm in the preheated oven while you finish cooking the remaining fritters.
7. Serve the Indian-Style Split Pea Fritters hot or at room temperature, accompanied by lime wedges for an added tangy flavor.

Enjoy these delightful and flavorful fritters as a snack, appetizer, or even as part of a larger Indian meal. The combination of spices and herbs will tantalize your taste buds and leave you wanting mor