Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Zucchini Fritters



From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...Zucchini and fruit cake have one thing in common. They both are passed around a lot. Though we don't grow zucchini, generous friends and neighbors keep our cupboards full and we never want for it. While I've lots of recipes for zucchini, I still keep my eyes open for new or different ways in which to prepare it. That's how I happened upon this fritter recipe developed by Michael Symon. Recipes for fritters abound, but his has a Greek flair that makes it especially interesting. The addition of mint and dill and a healthy portion of feta cheese set his fritters apart from others I have tried. You will love these, but if you decide to make them there is a potential problem you should be aware of.

Watery zucchini will spoil the fritters.To avoid that, I use a potato ricer to squeeze as much liquid from them as I possibly can. If the fritter mixture is too damp, the fritters will separate while being fried and leave you with a greasy mess. While these can be made ahead of time and reheated, I don't recommend doing that. My preference is to serve them freshly fried and hot. They can be served with Greek yogurt, or tzatziki if you prefer. They are a bit of work to assemble, but the fritters are delicious and worth the effort. Here's the recipe.


Zucchini Fritters...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite inspired by Michael Symon

Ingredients:
2 pounds zucchini
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon chopped mint
1-1/2 tablespoon chopped dill
1 large scallion, white and green parts sliced thinly on the bias
2 teaspoons minced garlic
Zest of one lemon
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup (4-oz.) feta cheese, roughly chopped
1 egg
3 tablespoons flour
Canola oil for frying
Optional:
Tzatziki
Greek yogurt
Fresh dill, to garnish
Additional lemon zest, to garnish

Directions:

1) Grate zucchini onto a clean kitchen towel using the large holes of a box grater. Sprinkle with salt. Set aside for 30 minutes. Wring as much liquid out of the zucchini as possible, discarding liquid. I use a potato ricer for this task.
2) In a medium bowl, combine zucchini, mint, dill, scallion, garlic, lemon zest, pepper and feta. Stir in egg and flour and mix until well combined.
3) Heat enough canola oil in a pan over medium high heat to come halfway up sides of fritters. Form fritters, using 1/4 cup measure, and place gently into hot oil. Fry, turning once, until fritters are golden brown on each side, about 4 to 6 minutes. Remove from pan and drain on paper towels for a minute. Plate and garnish with a dollop of Greek yogurt or tzatziki, fresh dill and lemon zest. Yield: 8 fritters.

You might also enjoy these recipes:
Zucchini Gratin - One Perfect Bite
Stuffed Zucchini Slices - Sugar Crafter
Zucchini Carrot Muffins - Real Mom Kitchen
Zucchini and Carrot Soup - Tobias Cooks
Zucchini-Pineapple Muffins - Kahakai Kitchen
Zucchini Pancakes - Delicious Dishings
Zucchini Bread - Fresh4Five

67 comments :

Joanne said...

I made this as I was cooking through Symon's cookbook and fell absolutely in love. I squeezed the water out with paper towels and it took some serious arm strength, but it was well worth it!

Josie @Skinny Way Of Life said...

I really like the addition of Feta Cheese, I never would have thought to add that! very cleaver, I bet the flavor is amazing : )

Ginny Hartzler said...

This is the yummiest looking zucchini recipe I've ever seen. So brown and crispy. The spices sound so good, and the cheese, as well. Everyone around here grows it, and then tries to get rid of it!

The Words Crafter said...

I actually only tried zucchini a couple years ago. Shame, I know! But I loved it. I can eat it all day raw. This sounds really really good! A friend of mine at work would love this so I'm sharing it with her...

Have a great Wednesday!

Anonymous said...

Can't wait to try these- yum!

Sasha said...

I adore fritters like these.
I love the addition of feta cheese in the recipe : )

Nammi said...

My son doesnt like zucchini, so this is a great way to discuise it :) have a nice day !

Sushma Mallya said...

Zucchini fritters looks so crispy and you have made them really well...have a lovely day mary,take care

Daisy Roshan said...

lovely fritters - color and texture!

aipi said...

The fritters look so good n crispy..a very awesome combo of ingredients.!!

US Masala

marla {family fresh cooking} said...

Thanks for these tips on how to make great zucchini fritters. The sound wonderful, the mint is a nice addition too.

Red Nomad OZ said...

Sounds sensational! Liquid can also be removed from grated zucchini by using a salad spinner (yes, I have a great capacity for doing as little as possible. AND ... I've got a great zucchini cake recipe - I get complimented whenever I make it, but noone (especially children) can work out what's in it!

Happy travels!

Unknown said...

I love zucchini...and I'm always looking for new ways to make it, I tend to get a rut and make it the same way night after night! Oh, and I LOVE Michale Symon...every recipe I have tried of his has turned out to be fantastic! I've seen this one before, now it's going to be a must try!

Monet said...

So that is why my fritters always fall apart...I need to get more of that liquid out! I love eating these babies, but I haven't had much success making them...I'm going to have to give your recipe a try!

Unknown said...

This one is one of my favourites....It's really a very tasty dish...

RamblingTart said...

Mmm, these look so good, Mary! I love the notion of serving them with tzatziki. How delicious!! :-)

Adelina said...

They look splendid- and served them hot is the key indeed!

Kerstin said...

My hubby would love these with all the dill and mint, they look so tasty!

Pondside said...

A recipe with the word 'fritter' in it will always get my attention!

sophia said...

The hardest thing about this is getting the liquid out! But SO worth it! And YAY CHEESE!! Sorry, I get so cheesily happy when I see someone including cheese.

Diane said...

Yum. Yum, Diane

Deb in Hawaii said...

Yum--I have seen these before and I love the feta, mint and dill.

MaryMoh said...

Wow...that piece of fritters looks really tempting. Loev the colour. I would go dipping into chili sauce...yum. Just the other day, I had zucchini fritter sticks in a restaurant served with hummus. It was really good. Thanks very much for sharing . Hope you have alovely day.

Katerina said...

These are exactly the herbs we are using in Greece to make these fritters. We call them zucchini kefte. This is an appetizer I always order when we eat in tavernas. Delicious.

Angie's Recipes said...

These zucchini fritters look simply mouthwatering!The addition of feta gave these fritters a real kick!

Sonia ~ Nasi Lemak Lover said...

Mary, your Zucchini fritters sound healthy and delicious.

Priya Suresh said...

Gorgeous zucchini fritters, yummm!

Jeannie said...

These fritters look so delicious, my boys would love these very much!

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Mary, I really like the addition of the feta cheese in the fritters. It must give it a nice moistness as well as a wonderful flavor.
Sam

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

These are one of my Greek favourites Mary. I love the addition of feta into the mix.

Faith said...

These sound incredible with all the fresh herbs in there. Also, I love the addition of feta, how delicious!

chriesi said...

These sound mighty delicious!

giorno26 ¸¸.•*¨*•. said...

Hi Mary,
le " zucchine " fritte, tagliate alla julienne, è un piatto tipico italiano.
Buonissime !
Buona giornata.

Rachana said...

These fritters look so yumm. Love the addition of feta cheese.

Pam said...

They look great and delicious, for sure! Have to try this!

Martha said...

There is always so much to do with zucchini -- these look good!

Unknown said...

These look good, love the feta, mint and dill:)

From the Kitchen said...

I'm one of those neighbors who loves to find a bag of zucchini on my porch. And I'm happy to find this recipe on one of my most trusted blogs. Thank you!

Happy autumn!

Best,
Bonnie

Cathy said...

I love the Greek influence in this version of zucchini fritters. I'll serve mine with tzatziki sauce. Delish.

Claudia said...

The Greek ingredients are a taste treat. Wishing my zucchini was not done. There's always the farmers market this weekend...

Pam said...

These look wonderful Mary. My neighbor Jack just gave me some zucchini - I may have to try this recipe using them.

Mhel said...

Hi Mary! Thanks for taking time in reading my blog! Im glad youve found me. Im your newest follower. By the way, PFB is now open for voting, and I have posted my first entry. I do hope vote for me! Catch you later for more recipes. Love the zuchinnie fritters by the way. I used to make ball fritters out of zuchinnis(kolokothykeftedes) with tzaziki dip too. Its one of my favorite Greek treat... U

Unknown said...

Love the addition of feta! Need to make these...

Unknown said...

I'm off to the farmers maeket today and may have to pick up some zuc's! These look fabulous Mary! I love dill, mint and feta! Thanks for sharing all the info too!

Kath said...

Your zucchini fritters look fabulous, Mary! That's a great idea you have about using a potato masher to get the excess water out.

black eyed susans kitchen said...

I have got to try this recipe! I have been making stuffed zucchini all summer and we are a little tired of it, but this sounds delicious and right up our alley!

StephenC said...

I love zucchini. Peter, not so much. I think I could serve him these fritters. I've had some success grating zucchini (food processor) and drying it out in a 200 degree oven for a while.

Cherine said...

Those zucchini fritters look absolutely yummy!!

Choclette said...

These certainly do look a bit different and I'm always after different ways of eating courgettes. I'm just off to cook supper - courgette curry, but rather wishing I was having these now.

Lori said...

I love zucchini fritters- I eat mine all summer long. Now I have a new recipe to try. Thanks Mary.

Jann said...

This is one of my favorite dishes! Your recipes looks absolutely delicious! Beautiful post again!!!

Rita said...

I love this kind of recipe.Now that is one great way of cooking with zucchini; thank you.
Rita

Satya said...

fritters looks so delicious n crisy ..never made zucchini fritters before ..thanks for sharing
Satya
http://www.superyummyrecipes.com

Allie and Pattie said...

Oooh, my Sicilian Grandma loved these! She would make a meal of them or have them for breakfast. These are gorgeous!
xoxo Pattie

Nithu said...

Wow! Those are some awesome fritters right there. Love to have a bite.

PeggyR said...

Another great recipe. I'm always amazed at how many ways there are to cook zucchini.

Jennifer said...

I have always wanted to make Zuchinni Fritters! They look mouthwatering. p.s. I was looking around your blog yeseterday and saw your kitchen, gorgeous!

High Plains Drifters said...

Still an abundance of locally grown zucchini at the farmer's markets, so will have to add this to the list. love the idea of greek yogurt atop. cheers!

Elisa said...

These are very popular in Croatia. My mother in law makes them all the time. They are so delicious. I'm curious to prepare them with mint. I will have to bookmark the recipe to I can make a comparison.

3 hungry tummies said...

They look so appetizing! The days are getting warmer and they will be more garden parties..these are just perfect!

The Blonde Duck said...

Yum! I just like the name fritters.

scrambledhenfruit said...

These look like a fabulous way to use the prolific zucchini! Thanks for the ricer tip. :)

Beth said...

This looks great. What a delicious way to use all that zucchini!

FOODESSA said...

Mary...it's very early in the A.M. here and it's difficult to just content myself with a cup of coffee...you're making me want lunch right now!

I totally agree about the zucchini's water content. What I usually do is put the shreds of zucchini in a cheese cloth within a colander topped with a weight for at least an hour or more.

It permits me to do other things in the meantime ;o)

Ciao for now and flavourful wishes,
Claudia

Susi's Kochen und Backen said...

These are some delicious looking Zucchini Fritters but what really makes me want them is the very unique addition of Feta! Beautiful recipe :o)

Sydney said...

I have been looking for new zucchini recipes and this is great! Thanks. :) I found your blog on foodbuzz - I live in Eugene, too! Did you enter the PFB Competition?

Manasi said...

I Must try these! Can u suggest some substitute for the egg?

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