Ham Croquettes

(Croquetas de Jamon)

This is a very popular Cuban appetizer, and great for lunch or a snack.
Serving Size: 6

Ingredients
1 lb smoked ham (grounded) 4 tbsp butter 1 tspn lime juice 1/2 tspn nutmeg (grated) 1 tbsp parsley (chopped) 1 tbsp flour vegetable oil 2 eggs 2 cups milk 1 tspn salt and black pepper 2 cups dry bread crumbs

Directions
In a small sauce pan, melt the butter in low heat until it starts to foam. Whisk in the flour and then add the milk, stirring occasionally until the sauce begins to thicken into a paste. Add the ham, salt and pepper, nutmeg, lime juice, and parsley and stir the mixture well. Cook in low heat for a couple of minutes. Place the mixture in a bowl, and refrigerate for 1 hour letting the mixture cool.

In the mean time, whip the eggs in a bowl. Then pour the bread crumbs into a second bowl. Take the ham mixture out of the refrigerator, and shape into small cylinders, about 1 inch thick by 3 inches in length. Dip them into the egg, then roll them on the bread crumbs, placing them on a large platter. Cover the croquettes with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours or overnight when done.

Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat, and fry half a dozen of the croquettes at a time, rolling them occasionally so they cook on all sides. Cook until golden browned on all sides, but be careful not to burn them! Remove them and place them on a platter covered with paper towel to drain the excess oil. Serve with a cool Cuban drink and enjoy!

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