Maakouda

Moroccan potato fritters

INGREDIENTS

• About 2.2 kg starchy potatoes
• 6–8 large eggs (start with 6 and add more if the mixture is too dry)

Fresh herbs

• 1 large bunch fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 1 large bunch fresh cilantro, finely chopped

Aromatics

• 1 medium onion, finely chopped (optional)
• 4–6 cloves garlic, minced or pressed

Spices

• 2 teaspoons salt (or to taste)
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• ½ teaspoon baking powder (optional, for a lighter texture)
• ¼ teaspoon harissa paste (optional, for a subtle kick)

For frying and coating

• Vegetable oil or olive oil, enough for deep frying (about 3–4 cups)
• 1–1.5 cups all-purpose flour (optional)

METHOD

1. Cook the potatoes. Peel and cut the potatoes into large, even pieces. Cover with cold salted water, bring to a boil and cook until very tender (15–25 minutes).
2. Mash. Drain well and mash until completely smooth. Let cool slightly.
3. Aromatics (optional). Gently sauté the onion in 2 tablespoons of butter or olive oil for 7–10 minutes, add the garlic for another minute.
4. Combine. Add the parsley, cilantro, salt, pepper, cumin, turmeric, baking powder and harissa (if using), and the onion and garlic. Mix well.
5. Add eggs. Beat the eggs and add them gradually. The mixture should hold its shape but stay moist. Too dry: another egg. Too wet: a tablespoon or two of flour or breadcrumbs (though traditionally not used in maakouda).
6. Shape. With wet hands, roll heaped tablespoons into balls and flatten into patties 5–7 cm wide and about 1 cm thick. For a crispier outside, dust them with flour.
7. Fry. Heat 3–5 cm of oil to about 175°C. Fry a few at a time, 3–4 minutes per side, until deep golden. Drain on paper.
8. Serve. Serve warm on their own, with harissa or a simple tomato sauce, or in Moroccan bread (khobz) or a baguette.

From the Youth Exchange MED4FOOD (9–18 June 2025), organised by Associazione Kora at the educational farm La Buona Terra, Passignano sul Trasimeno. Project 2024-1-IT03-KA151-YOU-000220163. Funded by the European Union; views expressed are those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the EU or the Agenzia Italiana per la Gioventù.