Frituras de malanga, or malanga fritters are grated malanga combined with egg and flavored with parsley, garlic, salt and vinegar. They’re crispy on the outside, tender and mild on the inside. In Cuban cuisine, frituras de malanga are served as an appetizer or snack.
Malanga is a brown, shaggy tuber with a white inside. It is cultivated in many tropical regions and often used in Caribbean and South American cuisine.
Malanga has an earthy taste with a texture similar to a potato. It’s prepared pretty much the same way. In Cuban cuisine malanga is used in stews, soups, mashed, grated and fried, or boiled and topped with a drizzle of olive oil or butter.
If you want to try more malanga recipes try this crema de malanga that’s a mild creamy soup or this puré de malanga that is similar to mashed potatoes.
This site contains affiliate links to products. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Ingredients
- 1 pound Malanga, peeled, rinsed and grated
- 1 Egg
- 1 tablespoon Chopped Parsley
- 1 small Garlic Clove, grated or finely minced
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Red Wine Vinegar (or white vinegar)
- 3 cups Canola Oil for frying, or enough oil to cover the bottom of a large skillet by ½ inch – The amount of oil will depend on the size of the pan you’re using. Use enough to cover the bottom of the skillet/pan by at least ½ inch.
Peel the malanga
- Peeling malanga can be a little tricky. The wiry, thick exterior doesn’t work well with a peeler.
- Also, the white flesh of malanga is very slippery. Take care when handling. Use a paper or kitchen towel to help you get a good grip if needed.
- The best way to peel a malanga is like you would a pumpkin or butternut squash.
Cut the ends off the malanga. Then cut it into two or three pieces (depending on its size).
Next, stand the Malanga on the flat part. Cut off thin slices working all the way around until the peel is gone.
Keep the peeled malanga in a bowl of cold water (just like you would with a peeled potato) to slow the browning process. Rinse the malanga with fresh cold water and pat dry.
Shred the malanga
Keep the pieces large but manageable. We are going to use a box grater to grate the malanga so we want the pieces large enough to hold safely.
Shred the malanga using a box grater. Use the medium grating holes instead of the large ones.
Malanga is very slippery, take care while shredding. I always sacrifice a little piece on the end just to be safe.
When all the malanga is shredded, add it to a bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate while you prep the rest of the ingredients.
Make the mixture
Add the egg, chopped parsley, grated garlic, salt and vinegar to a small bowl. Beat the ingredients well until they are combined.
Add the egg mixture to the grated malanga and stir until combined. The fritter mixture will have a soft, doughy consistency.
Cover the mixture with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled (15-20 minutes should do it). Give it a good stir before using.
Fry the fritters
Line a plate or pan with paper towels to place the fritters after frying.
Add enough oil to a large, deep skillet to cover the bottom by at least ½ inch of oil. For our skillet we used 3 cups of oil.
Heat the oil over medium-high heat. Get the oil to around 325°F to 350°F before dropping the fritter mixture.
Use a small scoop to drop the fritters by the tablespoon into the hot oil. If you don’t have a scoop, use a tablespoon. Only add a few at a time, don’t overcrowd the skillet.
Cook the fritters for 2-3 minutes total, flipping them every 30 seconds or so until they are golden brown on both sides. Use a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to flip them.
Top tip
Make sure the oil is not too hot or the fritters will brown quickly on the outside and won’t cook on the inside. Do a test piece, the mixture should stay together, sizzle on the edges and float.
Take the skillet off the heat and remove the fritters using a slotted spoon. Place them on the paper lined plate or pan.
Cook’s note: Take the skillet off the heat in between batches so that the temperature of the oil does not keep rising while you get ready for the next batch.
Repeat the instructions above with the remaining malanga mixture until it’s all used up. Makes about 18 malanga fritters
Frequently asked questions
No, malanga must be cooked before consuming. Popular preparations include boiling and frying.
Malanga is similar to taro, they are from the same family, however they belong to different genus groups. Malanga belongs to the genus Xanthosoma and taro belongs to the genus Colocasia.
The skin on malanga is brown and has a wiry, shaggy texture. Taro is also brown, but lighter in color and the skin is a bit smoother, less bristly. Taro also has a bulb like shape, while the malanga is long and tapers at one end. On the inside: The flesh of the malanga is white, almost bright white. Taro’s flesh can vary between white, cream colored with purple flecks.
Equipment
- Large, deep, non-stick skillet or pan
- Box grater
- 1 tablespoon scoop (or a tablespoon)
- Sheet pan or large platter
- Paper towels
Frituras de Malanga (Malanga Fritters)
Ingredients
- 1 pound Malanga peeled, rinsed, patted dry and grated
- 1 Egg
- 1 tablespoon Finely Chopped Parsley
- 1 small Garlic Clove grated or finely minced
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Red Wine Vinegar or white vinegar
- 3 cups Canola Oil for frying or enough oil to cover the bottom of a large skillet by ½ inch
Instructions
- You will also need: large, deep, non-stick skillet or pan, box grater, 1 tablespoon scoop (or a tablespoon), sheet pan or large platter, paper towels
Prep work
- Shred the malanga using a box grater. Use the medium grating holes instead of the large ones.
- Add the shredded malanga to a bowl. Cover, and refrigerate while you prep the rest of the ingredients.
Make the malanga fritter mixture
- Add the egg, chopped parsley, grated garlic, salt and vinegar to a small bowl. Beat the ingredients well until they are combined.
- Add the egg mixture to the grated malanga and stir with a fork until the ingredients are combined. The fritter mixture will have a soft, doughy consistency.
- Cover the malanga mixture with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled (15-20 minutes). Give the mixture a good stir before using.
Fry the malanga fritters
- Before you start frying, line a baking sheet or a large platter with paper towels to place the fritters after frying.
- Add enough oil to a large, deep skillet to cover the bottom by at least ½ inch of oil.
- Heat the oil over medium-high heat. Get the oil to around 325°F to 350°F before dropping the fritter mixture.
- Use a small scoop to drop the fritters by the tablespoon into the hot oil. Only add a few at a time, don’t overcrowd the skillet.
- Cook the fritters for 2-3 minutes total, flipping them every 30 seconds or so until they are golden brown on both sides. Use a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to flip them.
- Take the skillet off the heat and remove the fritters using a slotted spoon. Place them on the paper lined sheet pan.
- Repeat the instructions above with the remaining malanga mixture until it’s all used up.
Francis Sanabria
I always make these at home … I grew up eating these. I’m Puerto Rican and it’s always been used as on of our many side dishes. They are amazing. Especially with mayo ketchup. ❤️
Elizabeth
Hi Francis,
They are one of my favorite things to eat! Glad you enjoyed them.
Ana
Can I substitute the malanga with potatoes?
Elizabeth
Hi Ana, I have not tried it so I cannot say.