Acarajé
Acarajé is a beloved street food from Bahia, Brazil, consisting of a deep-fried ball of mashed black-eyed peas, typically split and served with a savory filling. The filling usually includes vatapá (a paste of bread, shrimp, coconut milk, and palm oil) and caruru (a stew of okra, shrimp, and tomatoes). It is a staple of Afro-Brazilian cuisine and is particularly associated with the religious traditions of Candomblé.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is high in both fat and carbohydrates, with a moderate amount of protein. It provides a good source of fiber, iron, and folate from the black-eyed peas, and a rough estimate is around 400-500 calories per serving.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 450 kcal |
| Protein | 12 g |
| Carbs | 35 g |
| Fat | 30 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 680 mg |
| Iron | 3.2 mg |
| Folate | 120 mcg |
| Potassium | 320 mg |
| Magnesium | 45 mg |
| Phosphorus | 110 mg |
| Zinc | 1.8 mg |
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | 0.3 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.2 mg |
Per 1 acarajé (approx. 150 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Acarajé is not just food; it's a sacred offering in the Candomblé religion, where it is associated with the deity Iansã. Its preparation and sale are often managed by 'baianas,' women in traditional white lace dresses, making it a cultural icon of Bahia.