Crab Croquettes
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
“Crocketas” as my Mom used to call them were Crab Croquettes a mainstay during the Lenten season when I was growing up. Mom’s croquettes were made of either fish flakes or on special days, crab meat. Lenten Fridays, 6 weeks in a year were fastidiously observed in our home and non-negotiable as far as my strict parents were concerned. We fasted. We abstained. Yes, there was hunger felt in between meals on Fridays. I can’t forget how I used to look forward to the evening meals after a day of “fasting” and sparse meals meant to be acts of sacrifice as dictated by our faith.
During a recent trip to my old home country, the Philippines, I enjoyed fresh crab meat cooked in different ways. When I got back to here to my home in America, it was nearly Lent and I was inspired to cook Mom’s old recipe of “crocketas”, her version of crab cakes.
The process was easy. These days, flaked crab meat is easy to buy. I made sure to saute the meat in butter, lemon, onions and celery. Then I wrapped the crab flakes mix in homemade mashed potatoes.And quickly rolled them in oval shapes. Finally, dipped them in egg and bread crumbs before pan-frying. Once pan seared for a few minutes, the amazing aromas of crabs, melted butter, onions and mashed potatoes all rolled into one sent our senses soaring with hunger. After having a couple of crab croquettes, we were ready to give up meat even after Lent.
Crab Croquettes
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 Tablespoon butter melted (unsalted)
- 1 whole onion chopped
- 1 cup chopped celery
- 3 cups mashed potatoes
- 1 whole egg
- 2 Tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1/2 to 2 cups flaked boiled crab meat (use fresh or canned)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce Lea and Perrins
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour for coating croquettes
- 1 whole egg for coating croquettes
- 1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs for coating croquettes
- for serving: boiled rice
Instructions
- In a large non-stick skillet, over medium heat, add the vegetable oil and butter to melt.
- Saute quickly the onions, celery and crab meat.
- Remove this mixture from heat and transfer to a mixing bowl. Add the eggs, heavy cream, flour, lemon juice, seasonings. Blend well.
- Add the mashed potatoes and incorporate the crab meat well. Shape into 2-inch length oblong shapes.
- Roll and coat each of the oval crab croquettes in separate bowls of : Flour, egg and bread crumbs.
- Pan fry the crab croquettes in a large non-stick frying pan with a few tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Do not flip them more than once or they might break. Cook for about 8-10 minutes till crab croquettes turn medium brown.
- Serve warm with a crisp green salad and boiled jasmine white rice.
- Cook's Comments: if crab meat is not available, substitute with cooked flaked fish and follow the same procedure.
- Hello, Friends. Please DO NOT plagiarize, lift or copy verbatim my original recipes. All the images and content here are COPYRIGHT PROTECTED and owned by Besa-Quirino LLC. This means BY LAW you are NOT allowed to use my photos or content on your website, videos, books, articles, TV programs or media content without my permission. If you want to republish this recipe, please re-write it in your own words and simply link back to this blog to give proper attribution. It’s the legal thing to do. Thank you. Email me at [email protected] for permission. Thank you.
Nutrition
Nutrition Notes: The nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Hi Elizabeth! I looove crab croquettes, and I haven’t had them for a while. This post totally made me crave for some (some = a lot!). Your version has lots of ingredients in it and definitely looks delicious!
Thanks, Nami! So glad you stopped by. Yes, these crab croquettes are terrific. My late Mom used to make them with shrimps, too. Other times, she’d use leftover chicken and flake it. It was always delish! I think the combination of butter, mashed potatoes, onions made it all yummy!
I love the recipe! So much fun to make recipes that take us back home:-) I love crab cakes, so I know I would love croquettes:-) Hugs, Terra
Thanks, Terra. You’re right, I have so much fun making the recipes of my late Mom, those were the best growing up! Glad you stopped by 🙂 Hugs back!
great idea here! like crab cakes + croquettes, brilliant.
Thanks, Maris. These crab croquettes were my Mom’s fave!
These look delicious! Can’t wait to give them a try!
Hi Mama’sGotta Bake! Glad you like the crab croquettes. They were my Mom’s fave to do!
Yum! I love CRAB-anything. Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier. 🙂
Thanks, Denine! Yes, these crab croquettes were my mom’s favorite. I love making them.