Canned Sardine Fritters: Fritelle Sarde - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 (4 ounce) cans sardines in oil, chopped
2 large eggs
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/2 cup chopped parsley
2 tablespoons pepperoncini peppers
1/2 cup fresh breadcrumb
1 tablespoon caciocavallo cheese
freshly ground coarse black pepper
fresh parsley, chopped fine garnish
2 lemons, juice of
1 lemon, halved to garnish
extra virgin olive oil, deep frying

Preparation

In a medium-size bowl combine, the canned sardines, eggse, garlic, parsley, pepperonchini, bread crumbs and cheese.
Using a wooden spoon stir lightly, so as not to mash mixture.
Set fish mixture aside.
Fill a deep pot no more than halfway full with olive oil.
Heat over medium flame until the temperature reaches 350\u00b0F.
The oil should remain at or around this temaperature throughout the frying process.
Using a spoon, make fritters into semi-balls.
When the oil reaches temperature, gently drop the fish balls into the hot oil.
BE CAREFUL NOT TO SPLATTER THE OIL.
Fry each fritter to a golden brown, about 2 minutes.
Carefully remove the cooked fritters with a slotted spoon and reserve on a serving dish.
Repeat until all of the fish mixture has been used.
These fritters are best served hot with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Garnish with parsley and lemon halves.