A Year-Round Guide to Franklin and Nantahala

Yield: 16 to 20 fritters. For the tartar sauce: 1½ cups mayonnaise ¼ cup hot pickles, minced 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 clove garlic, minced 2 teaspoons hot sauce

Rosemary and Goat Cheese Strata

Yield: 16 to 20 fritters. For the tartar sauce: 1½ cups mayonnaise ¼ cup hot pickles, minced 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 clove garlic, minced 2 teaspoons hot sauce

Deviled Crab Fritters with Spicy Tartar Sauce

Yield: 16 to 20 fritters.

For the tartar sauce:
1½ cups mayonnaise
¼ cup hot pickles, minced
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 clove garlic, minced
2 teaspoons hot sauce
3 tablespoons parsley, chopped

For the fritters:
2 cups self-rising yellow cornmeal
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon sugar
1½ teaspoons Creole seasoning
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 cup red bell pepper, diced
3 green onions, sliced
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
½ cup buttermilk
8 ounces beer
1 pound backfin or special crabmeat
Vegetable oil (for frying)

For the tartar sauce: In a medium bowl, combine all sauce ingredients. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

For the fritters: In a large bowl, add cornmeal, flour, sugar, Creole seasoning, onion powder, baking powder, baking soda, red bell pepper, and green onions. Stir to combine.

Add the eggs, buttermilk, and beer to the flour mixture and stir, incorporating all ingredients.

Gently fold in crabmeat, taking care not to break up the crab. Let batter sit for 10 minutes at room temperature.

Pour 4 inches of oil into a Dutch oven. Heat until oil reaches 365°.

Working in batches, carefully drop batter by the tablespoon into hot oil. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes or until fritters begin to brown. Remove fritters and place on a wire rack over a baking sheet to drain. Keep fritters warm in a 200° oven until ready to serve.

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This story was published on May 20, 2022

Lynn Wells

Lynn Wells gained a fond respect and interest in cooking from her mother and Aunt Addie at the age of 8 in North Carolina. During college, Wells worked in a wide range of restaurants, from fine dining to family- owned. After graduating from UNC Greensboro with a degree in nutrition management and hospitality, Wells began a 21-year career in the nutrition department at Cone Health. In 2014, Wells started Thyme Well Spent Personal Chef Service, an in-home cooking experience for private clients, which continues today. Wells is also a food writer, food stylist, culinary consultant, and the recipe developer/writer for Our State.