Maakouda (Tunisian Potato Fritters)
Local name: معقودة
In short: Mashed potato patties scented with garlic, cumin and parsley, dipped in egg and fried crisp at the edges, a staple Tunisian snack and Ramadan side. It takes about 50 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 25 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 50 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 370 kcal
Maakouda are thick potato patties, golden outside and soft inside, sold from stalls and stacked on plates at Ramadan. The mash is seasoned with garlic, cumin and parsley, shaped by hand, dipped in beaten egg and fried until crisp at the edges. Tunisians eat them hot with harissa and lemon, or tuck them into a sandwich with salad. They are cheap, quick and a good way to use leftover mashed potato.
Instructions
- Boil the potatoes in salted water for 15 to 20 minutes until very tender. Drain well and leave them to steam dry for 5 minutes.
- Mash the potatoes until smooth. Mix in the garlic, parsley, cumin, turmeric, pepper, 1 tsp of the salt and 1 egg. Let the mixture cool for 10 minutes until firm enough to shape.
- With damp hands, shape the mixture into about 12 patties, each about 7 cm (3 in) wide and 1.5 cm (3/4 in) thick.
- Beat the remaining 2 eggs with the remaining 1/2 tsp salt in a shallow dish. Heat 4 tbsp oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Dip each patty in the egg, let the excess drip off and fry in batches for about 3 minutes per side, until golden and crisp at the edges. Add more oil as needed and drain on paper towels.
- Serve hot with lemon wedges and harissa.
Tips
- Dry mash is the key. Steam the potatoes dry after draining, and if the mixture still feels sticky, chill it for 20 minutes before shaping.
- For a stuffed version, press a spoonful of chopped olives and capers into the center of each patty before sealing it.
Questions and answers
Can I bake maakouda instead of frying?
Yes. Brush the egg-dipped patties with oil and bake at 220°C (425°F) for about 25 minutes, turning once. They will be less crisp than fried ones.
Can I make them ahead or freeze them?
Shape the patties up to a day ahead and keep them chilled, or freeze fried patties for up to 2 months. Reheat in a 200°C (400°F) oven for 10 minutes.
What do you serve with maakouda?
Harissa, lemon wedges and a fresh salad. They are also good stuffed into bread with olives, harissa and salad as a sandwich.
How long does it take to make Maakouda (Tunisian Potato Fritters)?
About 50 min in total: 25 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Maakouda (Tunisian Potato Fritters)?
About 370 kcal per serving, with 9 g of protein, 38 g of carbohydrates and 20 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 370 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 9 g |
| Carbohydrates | 38 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 900 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
