When I travel I like to try new things. I was recently in Uruguay where I sampled Buñuelos de Algas, otherwise known as seaweed fritters.
Seaweed Fritters are a specialty of the Rocha region of Uruguay. Humble hostels and high-end, ocean-view restaurants all serve Buñuelos de Algas. All the guidebooks mention them as a must-try food. I agree.
I know I shouldn’t, but I have a weakness for deep-fried food and fritters may top my list of favorite deep-fried foods. From apples to zucchini, and everything in between. Piping hot fried dough, be it sweet or savory, is a decadent treat I just can’t resist. So I try to keep it special and reserve fried food for special occasions or as a treat. Uruguay was both special and a treat, so I’ll admit I succumbed to the allure of Seaweed Fritters more times than I would have at home.
Fritters are made in many parts of Europe, Asia, and the Americas. In fact, I’m pretty confident that every country and every culture has dropped batter into hot oil and pulled out something delightful. Seaweed Fritters seemed so unique to me that I couldn’t wait to try them. I don’t know why I found seaweed to be such a surprising ingredient in a fritter. When you are at the beach seaweed is everywhere, and it’s delicious (and healthful). I shouldn’t be surprised people have been frying it up and gobbling it down for centuries.
When we were in Uruguay I found that each place we tried had a slightly different take on Seaweed Fritters. One place added cornmeal, making their Seaweed Fritters a bit like hush-puppies in texture, but with that beachy taste that can only come from seaweed. Other versions were served as deep-fried balls and somewhere pan-fried like a latke. All were delicious.
I’m sure it’s just the vacation talking, but fried food, cold beer, and an ocean view is as good as it gets. Maybe it’s not the actual formula for longtime health and happiness, but it comes damn close. So as soon as I got home I fried up a batch. After all, the week after a vacation is almost as special as the vacation, right?
The basic formula for almost any fritter is 1 egg/1 cup flour/1 cup milk. The batter is mixed until smooth and can be flavored with almost anything. Including seaweed. If you like your fritters a bit cakier add an extra egg. As with most deep fry jobs, I prefer peanut or canola oil. Peanut oil or canola can be heated hotter than many other oils. Frying food at very high heat allows the oil to cook the food rather than be absorbed by it. This technique results in fried food that is less greasy.
Buñuelos de Algas or Seaweed Fritters
Whether you call them Buñuelos de Algas or Seaweed Fritters, fried food demands to be dipped. Just like French Fries with ketchup, Seaweed Fritters are usually served with a condiment. The most common accompaniment we came across was freshly squeezed lime and aioli, but chimichurri and plain old bottled hot sauce are also excellent slathered across Seaweed Fritters. GREG
Corn fritters, apple fritters, spinach fritters.…and now seaweed added to the list. No need to apologize for liking fried foods either. I like the seaweed idea because it has iodine, something I’m lacking lately and I’m thinking it would taste very salty in a good way.
I love savory corn fritters and sweet apple fritters. I thought I’d eat just about anything in a fritter but I think I’d have to sub the seaweed with something else. At Cordon Bleu we made a stir fry side and rice cakes with seaweed flakes on them. I went extra light with the flakes and still couldn’t eat the rice. Funny how I spent my first 30+ years on the beach and in the ocean yet I can’t stand fish or even seaweed!
I didn’t know Latin cuisine incorporated seaweed. These look so yummy. I have to find a good place to get seaweed and try these. Thanks, G.
One of my favourite things to eat during the weekend. Thanks for sharing! What drinks go well with this meal?
Everything is better ‘frittered’ — your travels have introduced me to so many new things…thanks Greg!
Whoever thought of dropping dough into piping hot oil is a genius! I wonder what is the history of deep frying? Which culture started it? When did it start?
Same here, love fritters or anything deep fried, for that matter!
I have been loving the beautiful images you have posted on IG from your journey — what fabulous beaches! Personally, I have not met a fritter I don’t like — that being from a family big on fritters. Going to add seaweed into the mix.
I am going to Buenos Aires in March and hope to get ahold of some seaweed fritters. Until then, I will try yours. They look fab.
I know I’d like these too!
Glad you enjoyed Uruguay — it was always of interest to me but, being a small country, I never dedicated a trip to it and tended to choose it’s neighbors.
This is what I have been waiting for — brilliant, vacation-inspired recipes! I might actually try these if I can get the oil hot enough on the grill burner. Can’t wait for more!
Of all the things I’d think to deep fry (and I’m from St. Louis, home of the “toasted” ravioli) seaweed is the last I’d think of. But now that I AM thinking it sounds fantastic!
I can smell/taste these already. Your post is like a Corona commercial, plus deep-fried dough, and that = perfection.
I’m with you — fried food, cold beer, and gazing at the ocean is just about perfect!
These are super interesting! On the one hand. I’ve never heard of using seaweed in a fritter before; on the other, dark greens with egg are such a natural pair. So exciting!
Greg, you were away for so long I thought you might never come home. It looked like a wonderful trip from your IG dispatches. I, too, love fritters and don’t make them very often. I’ve never heard of seaweed fritters but they sound like a natural ~ sort of a vegetarian clam fritter. And they look delicious. Welcome back!