Koose (Ghanaian Black-Eyed Pea Fritters)
In short: Crisp, deep brown fritters of ground black-eyed peas, onion, ginger and pepper, fried until the crust crackles, a Ghanaian breakfast snack. It takes about 50 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Resting
- 8 h
- Total
- 50 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 340 kcal
Koose are fritters made from black-eyed peas that are skinned, ground with onion and pepper and fried in hot oil until the outside is crisp and the inside soft and fluffy. In Ghana they are sold in the early morning, often eaten with hausa koko (millet porridge) or with gari and sugar. The batter needs a good whipping so the fritters puff. Soaked dried beans, not canned ones, give the right texture.
Instructions
- Drain the soaked beans, put them in a large bowl of water and rub them between your hands to loosen the skins. Pour off the water and floating skins, and repeat 3 or 4 times until most skins are gone.
- Blend the beans with the onion, ginger, scotch bonnet and 3 to 4 tbsp of the water into a thick, slightly coarse paste. Add water only as needed. The batter should hold a spoon upright.
- Tip the paste into a bowl, add the salt and black pepper, and whisk hard with a whisk or wooden spoon for 3 to 5 minutes, until paler and fluffy.
- Heat the oil in a deep pan to 180°C (350°F).
- Drop heaped tablespoons of batter into the oil, 6 to 8 at a time. Fry for 3 to 4 minutes, turning, until deep golden brown, crisp and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
- Serve hot with hausa koko or gari.
Tips
- Whisking is what makes koose light. Skip it and the fritters turn out dense.
- No time to soak? Mix 200 g (1 1/2 cups) black-eyed pea flour with 240 ml (1 cup) water, grated onion, ginger and pepper, and whisk for 5 minutes.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between koose and akara?
They are very similar black-eyed pea fritters. Names, spicing and the frying oil vary by region and cook.
Why are my koose heavy or falling apart?
Usually too much water, too little whisking or oil that is not hot enough. Add water sparingly, whisk well and fry at 180°C (350°F).
Can I bake koose instead of frying?
Spoon the batter onto a lined tray, brush with oil and bake at 200°C (400°F) for about 20 minutes. They will taste more like baked fritters than classic koose.
How long does it take to make Koose (Ghanaian Black-Eyed Pea Fritters)?
About 50 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Koose (Ghanaian Black-Eyed Pea Fritters)?
About 340 kcal per serving, with 15 g of protein, 40 g of carbohydrates and 14 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 340 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 15 g |
| Carbohydrates | 40 g |
| Fat | 14 g |
| Fiber | 7 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Sodium | 490 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
