A small, often cylindrical fried cake made from cooked mashed potatoes, meat, or vegetables, usually coated in breadcrumbs.
From French 'croquette,' derived from 'croquer' (to crunch or crack). The word comes from Old Norse 'krokr' (hook), referring to the curved shape. The dish became popular in French cuisine in the 18th century.
Croquettes represent culinary resourcefulness—they were originally a way to use leftover cooked meats and vegetables that would otherwise be wasted, transforming scraps into an elegant dish that eventually became fashionable in formal dining.
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