Ingredients
Zucchini
- 500 g (1 lb) zucchini (about 2 medium, ~23cm/9″ long)
- 1 tsp salt
Batter
- 1 large egg
- 2 green onions, halved then finely sliced
- 1/4 cup parmesan, grated (fresh or store bought)
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 cup (75 g) flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- Pinch of pepper
For cooking and serving
- 4 tbsp olive oil, separated
- Yoghurt or sour cream, for serving
- More chopped green onions, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the zucchini: Grate the zucchini using a box grater on the diagonal to create long strands. Place the grated zucchini in a bowl and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of salt. Mix well and let it rest for at least 10 minutes to draw out excess moisture.
- Remove excess water: After resting, squeeze out the excess water from the zucchini using your hands or by bundling it in a clean tea towel. Transfer the drained zucchini back into a bowl.
- Preheat oven: Set your oven to 200°F (100°C) to keep the fritters warm once cooked. Place a wire rack over a tray – this helps maintain crispiness.
- Make the batter: Add the egg, finely sliced green onions, grated parmesan, and minced garlic to the zucchini. Stir to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
- Add dry ingredients: Scatter the flour and baking powder evenly over the zucchini mixture, avoiding dumping it all in one spot to prevent clumping. Sprinkle in a pinch of pepper. Gently mix everything until the flour is just incorporated into a thick but soft batter.
- Heat the pan: Warm 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a non-stick pan over medium-high heat (or medium if your stove runs hot).
- Cook the fritters: Drop about 1/4 cup of batter per fritter into the pan (an ice cream scoop works well). Cook 3 to 4 fritters at a time, flattening them lightly with a spatula to about 1 cm (4/5 inch) thickness.
- Fry until golden: Cook the fritters for approximately 3 minutes on one side until the underside turns deep golden brown. Flip carefully and cook the opposite side for another 3 minutes. Adjust heat as needed to prevent burning.
- Keep warm: Transfer cooked fritters to the wire rack in the preheated oven to keep them crisp and warm while you cook the remaining batter.
- Repeat: Continue frying the remaining batter in batches, adding more olive oil as needed to prevent sticking and ensure crispiness.
- Serve: Serve the fritters immediately, topped with a dollop of yoghurt or sour cream and garnished with additional chopped green onions if desired.
Notes
- Pressing out the zucchini’s moisture is essential to ensure the fritters are crispy and not soggy.
- The batter should be thick but soft; avoid overmixing the flour to keep the fritters tender.
- Keeping cooked fritters warm on a wire rack in a low oven helps maintain their crispiness until serving.
- If you don’t have parmesan, you can substitute with another hard cheese or omit for a milder flavor.
- Adjust oil quantity as needed to keep the pan well-oiled but not greasy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian