Croquetas de Jamón de Pavo

Name: Croquetas de Jamón de Pavo
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Cuban
Ingredients: 300g smoked turkey breast, finely minced; 3 tbsp butter; 1/4 cup flour; 1.5 cups whole milk; 1/4 tsp nutmeg; Salt and white pepper; 1 cup flour for dredging; 2 eggs, beaten; 2 cups breadcrumbs; Oil for frying

Croquetas (kroh-KEH-tahs deh hah-MOHN deh PAH-voh)

Turkey Ham Croquettes

⏱ Prep Time 30 min + chilling

📈 Difficulty Medium

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 321 kcal

Crispy golden croquettes with a creamy béchamel center studded with smoked turkey, a beloved Cuban snack found at every cafeteria window in Miami and Havana.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 14.0g

Carbs 28.0g

Fat 17.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ dairy ⚠ gluten ⚠ eggs

Equipment Needed

saucepan baking sheet deep fryer or heavy pot

Presentation Guide

Vessel: paper-lined basket

Garnishes: lime wedges

Accompaniments: crackers, café cubano

Ingredients

300g smoked turkey breast, finely minced
3 tbsp butter
1/4 cup flour
1.5 cups whole milk
1/4 tsp nutmeg
Salt and white pepper
1 cup flour for dredging
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups breadcrumbs
Oil for frying

Instructions

1
Melt butter in a saucepan. Add flour and cook 2 min to form a roux.
2
Gradually whisk in milk. Cook, stirring constantly, until very thick béchamel forms, about 5 min.
3
Fold in minced turkey, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Spread onto a baking sheet and refrigerate 2 hours until firm.
4
Shape into small cylinders (about 5cm long).
5
Dredge in flour, dip in egg, then coat in breadcrumbs.
6
Fry at 180°C (350°F) for 2-3 min until deep golden. Drain on paper towels.

💡

Did You Know?

In Miami, Cuban croquetas are served through ventanitas (small café windows) and consumed standing up — they are the city's unofficial street food.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

saucepan
baking sheet
deep fryer or heavy pot

Garnishing

lime wedges

Accompaniments

crackers, café cubano

The Story Behind Croquetas de Jamón de Pavo

Croquetas arrived in Cuba from Spain and became a ubiquitous café snack. This turkey version emerged as the standard Cuban adaptation, found in every bakery, cafeteria, and home kitchen. In the Cuban diaspora, croquetas became a symbol of cultural identity, with Miami's Calle Ocho famous for its croqueta windows.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed snack or appetizer 📜 Origins: Spanish origin, Cuban adaptation

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