Cala
Aruba's golden black-eyed pea fritters
Cala
Cala is one of Aruba's most traditional snacks, a small deep-fried fritter made from a batter of ground black-eyed peas. The peas are soaked, peeled, and blended into a thick paste, seasoned with onion, garlic, and a little hot pepper, then beaten until light and spooned into hot oil, where the fritters puff up golden and crisp on the outside while staying soft and fluffy inside.
Cala is street and bakery food, sold warm by the bagful and eaten out of hand. Many Arubans like it with a dab of hot pepper sauce (pika) for a savoury kick, and it makes a popular companion to a morning coffee or an afternoon snack. The recipe traces back to the West African food traditions that shaped much of the Caribbean kitchen, where black-eyed pea fritters appear under many names.
How it is eaten
Cala is enjoyed on its own as a snack, with hot sauce, and sometimes served alongside soup or a savoury meal. It is inexpensive, filling, and a true taste of old-fashioned Aruban home cooking.
- Because it is made from peas, cala is a naturally vegetarian snack, though it is worth checking the frying oil if that matters to you.
- Look for it at traditional bakeries and snack stalls around Oranjestad and San Nicolas.
If you spot warm cala at a bakery, grab a few with a little pika on the side. It is one of the island's most authentic everyday bites.
Key ingredients
How to make Cala
- 1
Soak black-eyed peas in water for several hours or overnight until softened.
- 2
Drain the peas and rub them between your hands to loosen and remove the skins, then rinse and drain well.
- 3
Blend the peeled peas with a little water, chopped onion, garlic, salt, and a touch of hot pepper into a thick, smooth paste.
- 4
Beat the batter vigorously by hand or with a mixer for a few minutes until it turns light and airy.
- 5
Heat cooking oil in a deep pan or pot to about 180C.
- 6
Drop tablespoons of batter into the hot oil, working in batches so the pan is not crowded.
- 7
Fry, turning once, until the fritters puff up and turn golden brown on all sides, about 4 minutes total.
- 8
Lift out with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- 9
Serve warm, with hot pepper sauce on the side if you like.
A home-style reference method; every family and kitchen has its own version.
Cala questions
What is cala?
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