Sweet Potato & Chorizo Croquettes

Name: Sweet Potato & Chorizo Croquettes
Prep time: 55 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 3 dozen.
Ingredients: 2 large sweet potatoes (about 12 ounces each), cut into 1-inch pieces; 1 tablespoon canola oil; 14 ounces fresh chorizo or bulk spicy pork sausage; 2 cups (8 ounces) queso fresco or shredded Mexican cheese blend; 1 large egg; 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon pepper; 3/4 cup panko (Japanese) bread crumbs; Oil for deep-fat frying; Pretzel sticks and fresh cilantro leaves

Chorizo and paprika add smokiness to these crispy bites. For a harvest party, make them into little pumpkins using pretzels sticks and cilantro leaves.—Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Ingredients

2 large sweet potatoes (about 12 ounces each), cut into 1-inch pieces
1 tablespoon canola oil
14 ounces fresh chorizo or bulk spicy pork sausage
2 cups (8 ounces) queso fresco or shredded Mexican cheese blend
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3/4 cup panko (Japanese) bread crumbs
Oil for deep-fat frying
Pretzel sticks and fresh cilantro leaves

Directions

Preheat oven to 400° Place sweet potatoes on a 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Drizzle with oil; toss to coat. Roast potatoes 30-40 minutes or until tender. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook chorizo over medium heat 6-8 minutes or until no longer pink. Drain and transfer to a large bowl.
Mash potatoes; add to chorizo. Stir in cheese, egg, paprika, salt and pepper. Refrigerate until cold, about 1 hour.
Shape into 1-1/4-in. balls. Place bread crumbs in a shallow bowl. Roll balls in crumbs to coat. In an electric skillet or deep fryer, heat oil to 375°. Fry balls in batches 4-6 minutes or until golden brown, turning occasionally. Drain on paper towels.
Decorate with pretzel sticks and cilantro.

Originally published as Sweet Potato Croquettes in Halloween Bookazine 2016

Reviews

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Average Rating:

wingsnutoo

Jan 6, 2017

Delicious and fairly easy. Good flavor. I added red pepper flakes to the mix because we like things spicy. Serve with a side of Pico de Gallo and you've got a winner. The only reason for 4 stars instead of five was the pretzel, it had no use and didn't go with the flavor profile.