Jujube Cinnamon Fritters: A Special Snack Enhancing the Sweetness of Gyeongsan Jujubes
How to Make Crispy and Fragrant Jujube Cinnamon Fritters Using Gyeongsan’s Sweet Jujubes
Korea boasts diverse regions, each with its unique specialties. Among them, Gyeongsan is renowned for its delicious jujubes, so much so that it even hosts a jujube festival. However, despite being a familiar ingredient, jujubes are often underutilized, mainly appearing in dishes like samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) or as a topping for tea. Jujubes possess a wonderful, subtle sweetness that is often overlooked. Therefore, today, we’re making ‘Jujube Cinnamon Fritters,’ a delightful snack that truly highlights the exquisite, mellow sweetness of jujubes. These fritters are perfect for entertaining guests or enjoying as a delightful treat anytime.
Main Ingredients
- 14 dried jujubes
- 14 pieces of your favorite nuts (e.g., almonds, walnuts)
- 2 tsp honey
- 250ml cooking oil
Cinnamon Sugar Coating
- 1 tsp cinnamon powder
- 1 tsp powdered sugar + a little extra for dusting
- 1 tsp cinnamon powder
- 1 tsp powdered sugar + a little extra for dusting
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, gently wash the dried jujubes under running water to remove any dust or debris.
Step 2
Thoroughly pat the washed jujubes dry with paper towels. Ensuring they are completely dry is crucial to prevent oil splattering during frying and to help the batter adhere properly.
Step 3
Prepare the dried jujubes. Make a shallow cut lengthwise, about halfway through the center of each jujube, just deep enough to expose the seed. Be careful not to cut all the way through.
Step 4
Using the tip of a knife or the back of a spoon, carefully scrape along the sides of the seed cavity to loosen and remove the seed. You can also gently use your fingers to ease the seed out.
Step 5
Remove all the seeds from the jujubes using this method. It’s important to leave the bottom part of the jujube intact, so it doesn’t split completely into two halves.
Step 6
Now, fill the hollowed-out center of each jujube with your chosen nuts. For example, you can insert whole almonds.
Step 7
Walnuts or any other nuts you prefer will work wonderfully. The nuts inside will provide a delightful crunchy texture and add both flavor and nutritional value.
Step 8
Gently press the jujubes together to close them around the nuts, and place them cut-side down to briefly set aside.
Step 9
Let them rest for a moment before proceeding to coat them in batter.
Step 10
Next, let’s prepare the fritter batter. In a bowl, combine the tempura flour and add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder for a fragrant aroma.
Step 11
Gradually add the cold water while whisking, ensuring there are no lumps. The ideal consistency is a smooth batter that flows gently off the whisk, not too thick or too thin.
Step 12
Once the batter is ready, heat the cooking oil in a pan over medium-low heat. Aim for a temperature of around 170-180°C (340-350°F).
Step 13
While the oil is preheating, coat each prepared jujube evenly with the batter. Ensure a thorough coating for a perfectly crispy exterior.
Step 14
Carefully lower the batter-coated jujubes into the preheated oil. Make sure to place them cut-side down initially to prevent the filling from leaking out and the batter from separating during frying. Fry until golden brown.
Step 15
Since jujubes can be eaten raw, you only need to fry them until the batter is golden and crispy. Avoid over-frying, as it can alter the jujube’s natural sweetness or cause them to burn.
Step 16
Once fried to a perfect golden hue, remove the jujube fritters from the oil and place them on a wire rack or paper towels to drain any excess oil. This step ensures they remain delightfully crisp.
Step 17
While the fritters are still warm, lightly dust them with 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder for an extra layer of spice and aroma.
Step 18
Next, drizzle the honey (about 2 teaspoons) evenly over the fritters. If honey is unavailable, you can substitute it with corn syrup, agave nectar, or a simple sugar syrup. This sweet glaze will enhance the overall flavor.
Step 19
Finally, dust generously with powdered sugar using a fine-mesh sieve for a beautiful finish that resembles a light snowfall.
Step 20
And there you have it! Delicious Jujube Cinnamon Fritters are ready to enjoy. They are best served warm.
