Recipe 4: spinach fritters

The Good Housewife’s Jewel, Thomas Dawson, England, 1597

Original

To make fritters of spinach

Take a good deal of spinach and wash it clean. Then boil it in fair water. When it is boiled take it forth and let the water run from it. Then chop it with the back of a knife, and put in some eggs and grated bread. Season it with sugar, cinnamon, ginger and pepper, dates minced fine and currants. Roll them like a ball and dip them in batter made of ale and flour.

Spinach fritters

1 kg frozen spinach ( once squeezed of water will weigh about ½)

1 Tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon each Ginger, Pepper, cinnamon

1 egg

50 gm breadcrumbs

50 gm dates and Currants ( chop small!)

Oil for trying

250 ml Beer ( light in color, pilsner or the like)

130 gm Flour

Squeeze the excess water from the spinach

Add sugar and spices

Add dates and Currants

Add egg

Add breadcrumbs, not all at once you may need less

Form into balls ( can be made ahead , use scoop and cut in half)

Mix flour and beer to make a batter ( not too thick or thin)

Dip balls in batter and fry til golden brown

Drain on paper towels

Makes approximately 22