Akara (Accara): Nigerian and West African Bean Fritters

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1. 1Step 1: Soak the beans in water for 3 minutes until the skins start to wrinkle. Place the beans in a food processor with enough water to cover them, and pulse 5-6 times to agitate and separate the skins. Be careful of splashing water.
2. 2Step 2: Pour the skinned beans into a bowl and rinse several times, draining the skins with the water each time. The skins are lighter and will float to the top, making them easy to remove.
3. 3Step 3: Once the beans are clean, soak them in water for at least 4 hours or overnight.
4. 4Step 4: Drain the soaking water and rinse the beans one more time.
5. 5Step 5: Using a mortar and pestle or a food processor, grind the scotch bonnet peppers to a rough paste and set aside.
6. 6Step 6: Blend the beans and onions with 1/2 cup of water until completely smooth. The texture should be similar to a thick muffin batter.
7. 7Step 7: Heat oil for deep frying in a pan to 375°F while preparing the batter.
8. 8Step 8: Add the salt, bouillon, and scotch bonnet peppers to the bean batter, mixing continuously for five minutes to incorporate air into the batter.
9. 9Step 9: Drop the batter by large spoonfuls into the hot oil. Fry for 3-5 minutes on each side until golden brown on both sides. Remove and drain in a colander or on paper towels.
10. 10Step 10: Serve hot.