Rocky's Flavorful Ham Croquettes

Ingredients

• 1 ½ pounds leftover baked ham
• 4 eggs, divided
• 3 tablespoons butter
• ½ cup fresh chopped garlic
• ¼ cup dried minced onion
• 3 cups Italian-style bread crumbs
• 2 cups shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 cups extra-virgin olive oil

Step 1

Grind the ham into a large bowl. In a separate small bowl, beat three eggs until smooth. Next, melt some butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and dried onion, cooking and stirring occasionally until they're nicely browned, about five minutes. Pour this flavorful mixture into the bowl with the ham, then add the beaten eggs, one cup of breadcrumbs, the cheddar cheese, brown sugar, and a pinch of black pepper. Mix everything together by hand until well combined, then shape the mixture into about 15 to 18 medium-sized croquettes or little rectangular shapes.

Step 2

In another bowl, beat the remaining egg with a tablespoon of water. Pour the last two cups of breadcrumbs onto a large plate or shallow dish. Dip each croquette into the egg wash, then roll it around in the breadcrumbs until fully coated.

Step 3

Heat some olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the croquettes in batches, turning occasionally, until they're golden brown all over—this should take around 10 minutes total. Once cooked, transfer them to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil before serving.