Acarajé Vegano

Acarajé Vegano is a delicious Brazilian street food made from black-eyed peas, deep-fried to crispy perfection, and filled with a spicy and flavorful vegetable mixture. This vegan version captures the essence of traditional acarajé while being entirely plant-based, making it a satisfying and wholesome meal.

Ingredients

• Black-eyed peas - 200 grams
• Onion - 1 medium, chopped
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Green bell pepper - 1, chopped
• Tomato - 1 medium, diced
• Palm oil - 50 ml
• Salt - 1 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon
• Cayenne pepper - 1/4 teaspoon
• Fresh cilantro - 2 tablespoons, chopped
• Lettuce leaves - 4, for serving
• Vegan mayonnaise - 2 tablespoons, for serving

Steps

1. Soak the black-eyed peas in water for at least 4 hours or overnight.
2. Drain the peas and blend them in a food processor until smooth, adding a little water as needed to achieve a thick batter.
3. In a frying pan, heat 2 tablespoons of palm oil over medium heat and sauté the chopped onion, garlic, and green bell pepper until soft.
4. Add the diced tomato, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and chopped cilantro to the pan, and cook for an additional 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
5. Remove the vegetable mixture from the heat and set aside to cool.
6. In a deep frying pan, heat the remaining palm oil over medium heat until hot.
7. Form the black-eyed pea batter into small patties (about the size of a golf ball), and carefully place them in the hot oil, frying in batches until golden brown and crispy on all sides, about 4-5 minutes per side.
8. Remove the fried acarajés and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
9. To serve, cut the acarajé in half and fill with the vegetable mixture, adding a lettuce leaf and a dollop of vegan mayonnaise.

Nutrition

• Calories: 450
• Protein: 12 g
• Carbs: 55 g
• Fiber: 15 g
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Water: 0.5 L

Health Benefits

• High in plant-based protein from black-eyed peas.
• Rich in dietary fiber, promoting digestive health.
• Contains healthy fats from palm oil, which can provide energy.

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