LID: Fritters Around the World

[image error]  Apple Fritter by Aaron Gustafons
@http://www.flickr.com/photos/aarongus...



December 2nd
National Fritter Day!



Happy National Fritter Day! 
What in the world is a fritter? I'm glad you asked that question. According to dictionary.com a fritter is "a small cake of batter, sometimes containing corn, fruit, clams, or some other ingredient, fried in deep fat or sautéed." Sounds delicious, doesn't it? 
What's in a Name?
 The term fritter was first used between 1350 to 1400 AD. It is derived from the Latin word frictura or frictus which is the past participle of frigere. Frigere means to roast. The Middle English changed the word to fritour while the Anglo-French converted the word to friture. It eventually evolved to the word fritter.
Fritters are known throughout the world yet not everyone calls them fritters. Get our your suitcase and cooking supplies as we take a trip around the world.
Great  Britain

[image error] The Union Jack by geishaboy500
@http://www.fotopedia.com/items/flickr...Region/ Name/ LinkMerseyside  - Scallops  North East of England - Scones -  http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/scones-recipeNorth Lancashire - Batch Cakes

And here are some links to traditional English Fritter recipes:

http://theenglishkitchen.blogspot.com/2010/10/fruit-fritters.html

http://www.celtnet.org.uk/recipes/miscellaneous/fetch-recipe.php?rid=misc-apple-fritters

A 15th century English Fritter recipe:

 http://www.celtnet.org.uk/recipes/miscellaneous/fetch-recipe.php?rid=misc-apple-fritters


Spain

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In Spain, Fritters are called Bunuelos. The origins of Fritters in Spain can be traced back to the Arabs who had settled in the country starting in 711 AD.  You can read more about the Arab history of Spain at this website:
 http://www.villa.spain-property-costa-blanca.com/archives/2003/12/03/the-history-of-arabs-in-spain/

When the Spanish colonized the New World they brought the recipe and tradition of eating Bunuelos with them. The recipe spread throughout South and Central America resulting in a wide variety of Bunuelos recipes throughout the region.

Here are just a few variants of the recipe:

Mexico: http://www.food.com/recipe/mexican-bunuelos-134270

Colombia: http://southamericanfood.about.com/od/holidayrecipes/r/bunuelos.htm

Spain: http://www.donquijote.org/culture/spain/society/food/bunuelos-de-viento.asp

Costa Rica: http://www.honey.com/recipes/detail/17/costa-rican-plantain-buñuelos


Germany
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In Germany, Fritters are called by different names depending on the type they are.

Here are some recipes:
http://deutshcessen.blogspot.com/2007/10/recipes-from-berlin-spritzkuchen.html

http://allrecipes.co.uk/recipe/17338/german-apple-fritters.aspx

Here's a video in German that teaches you how to make Potato Fritters. It has English subtitles.



SOUTH EAST ASIA

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Eleven countries make up the area known as Southeast Asia.  These countries are shown on the map above from wikipedia. Fritters are know by several different names depending on the country you are visiting. Below are some links to traditional Southeast Asian Fritters. 
Cambodia: http://jsmatthew.hubpages.com/hub/How-To-Make-Asian-Sesame-Banana-Fritters-At-Home
Indonesia:Known as bakwan sayurhttp://www.indochinekitchen.com/recipes/vegetable-fritter/

Philippines:
Known as Maruyang Saginghttp://www.filipino-food-recipes.com/maruyarecipe.html

Thailand:
http://www.seriouseats.com/2012/09/my-thai-thai-corn-fritters-tod-man-khao-pod.html

Caribbean
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The Caribbean is a group of several groups of islands. Like Southeast Asia, each country has a different name and recipe for Fritters. Here are just a few.

Cuba:
Known as Frituras de Maiz tierno. (Corn Fritters)http://www.tasteofcuba.com/cornfritters.html
Haiti:Known as Beyens (Banana Fritters)http://www.bakespace.com/recipes/detail/Beyens-or-Haitian-Banana-Fritters/34390/
Jamaica:
http://www.jamaicatravelandculture.com/food_and_drink/saltfish-fritters.htm
Puerto Rico:
Known as Alcapurrias
http://www.ricanrecipes.com/recipes/detail.php?category_id=12&id=56


Africa [image error]
Congo:http://www.congocookbook.com/snack_recipes/fritters.html
South Africa:Known as  Pampoenkoekyhttp://www.joyofkosher.com/recipe/south-african-pumpkin-fritters/
West Africa:Known as Akarahttp://themessyepicure.com/2010/09/19/black-eyed-pea-fritters-akara/
All Over Africa:http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Cookbook/Starch.html

India
[image error] Young India by Yogendra
@http://www.flickr.com/photos/yogendra...

India has different names for Fritters depending on the type of Fritter that is made. Here are just a few. 
Pakora:http://www.whats4eats.com/appetizers/pakora-recipe
Bhajia:http://www.bigoven.com/recipe/163232/bhajia-indian-vegetable-fritters
Jalebi:http://www.manjulaskitchen.com/2009/11/03/apple-jalebi-apple-fritters/
Masala Vada:http://www.phamfatale.com/id_1311/title_Masala-Vada-Recipe-Indian-Urad-Dal-Fritters/

United States
[image error] American Flag by uhuru1701
@http://www.flickr.com/photos/uhuru170...
Our last stop on this Fritter Around the World tour ends in the United States of America. Fritters are more popular in the Southern ares of the country than the north. Here are a few Fritter recipes including one from Hawaii. 
Hawaiian Pineapple Fritter:http://archives.starbulletin.com/2003/06/04/features/index5.html
Pennsylvania Dutch Corn Fritters:http://philadelphia.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=philadelphia&cdn=citiestowns&tm=21&f=00&su=p1042.5.175.ip_&tt=14&bt=0&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.recipesource.com/baked-goods/breads/02/rec0251.html
Sweet Potato Fritters:http://www.aviewofamerica.com/recipe/sweet-potato-fritters
American Apple Fritters:http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2011/10/apple-fritters-fried-sweets-fall.html

Well that concludes our International salute to the Fritter. I hope you enjoyed the recipes.  Which one is your favorite?