Pāua Fritters (New Zealand Abalone Fritters)
In short: Finely minced pāua (abalone) in a light egg batter, fried in small rounds until golden, a New Zealand seafood favorite served with lemon. It takes about 47 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 35 min
- Cook
- 12 min
- Total
- 47 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 215 kcal
Pāua, a large sea snail also known as abalone, is one of the most prized shellfish in New Zealand, and fritters are a classic way to cook it. The meat is tough, so it is pounded and minced finely, folded into a thin batter and fried quickly in small rounds. Done right, the fritters are tender with a rich taste of the sea. They are eaten hot with lemon, on bread, or as a snack.
Instructions
- Spoon the pāua meat out of the shells. Trim away the gut (the soft dark mass at the back) and the frilly edge, then rinse well.
- Place each piece between sheets of baking paper and pound with a mallet until about 5 mm (1/4 in) thick. Mince finely by hand, or pulse 5 or 6 times in a food processor.
- Whisk the egg, milk, flour, baking powder, salt and pepper into a thick batter. Fold in the minced pāua, onion and parsley.
- Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Drop in 2 tablespoons of batter for each fritter and flatten slightly.
- Fry for about 2 minutes per side, until golden and cooked through. Do not overcook, or the pāua will turn tough.
- Drain on paper towels and serve hot with lemon wedges.
Tips
- Overcooking toughens pāua. Pound and mince it well, and fry the fritters for no more than 2 minutes per side.
- Pāua is hard to find outside New Zealand. Canned or frozen abalone works, or use finely chopped scallops or clams for a similar fritter.
Questions and answers
Why are my pāua fritters tough?
The meat was not tenderized enough or it was overcooked. Pound and mince it finely, and cook the fritters quickly over medium heat.
Can I use canned abalone?
Yes. Drain it, pat it dry and mince it finely. It is already tender, so just fold it into the batter and fry briefly.
What do you serve with pāua fritters?
Lemon wedges and buttered white bread are the simple choice. A green salad or a little sweet chili sauce also works.
How long does it take to make Pāua Fritters (New Zealand Abalone Fritters)?
About 47 min in total: 35 min of preparation and 12 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Pāua Fritters (New Zealand Abalone Fritters)?
About 215 kcal per serving, with 17 g of protein, 17 g of carbohydrates and 9 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 215 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 17 g |
| Carbohydrates | 17 g |
| Fat | 9 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 590 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
