Cooking: Easy Peasy Zucchini Fritters

with Chef Robert Larios
Photography by Patricia M. Larios

Deliciously healthy zucchini fritters — easy, low-carb, and low-calorie!

Get your daily dose of veggies with this simple and satisfying appetizer or side dish. The secret to a crispy texture lies in removing excess water from the grated zucchini. The best way to do this? Cheesecloth!

Pair these fritters with Greek yogurt or ranch dressing for a delightful treat. Give it a few tries and you’ll master the recipe in no time.

¡Buen provecho!



RECIPE: Easy Peasy Zucchini Fritters

Yields4 Servings

 1.50 lbs zucchini, grated
 1 tsp salt
 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
 ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
 1 large egg, beaten
 2 cloves garlic, minced
 Kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste
 2 tbsp olive oil

1

Step 1
Toss zucchini and salt together in a large colander and place in sink to drain for 10 minutes.

2

Step 2
Put zucchini in the middle of a piece of cheesecloth; wrap cheesecloth around zucchini and squeeze to drain as much moisture from zucchini as possible.

3

Step 3
Mix flour, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic, kosher salt, and pepper together in a large bowl. Stir in zucchini.

4

Step 4
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

5

Step 5
Scoop batter by the tablespoon into the hot skillet and fry until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side.

6

Enjoy!

Ingredients

 1.50 lbs zucchini, grated
 1 tsp salt
 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
 ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
 1 large egg, beaten
 2 cloves garlic, minced
 Kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste
 2 tbsp olive oil

Directions

1

Step 1
Toss zucchini and salt together in a large colander and place in sink to drain for 10 minutes.

2

Step 2
Put zucchini in the middle of a piece of cheesecloth; wrap cheesecloth around zucchini and squeeze to drain as much moisture from zucchini as possible.

3

Step 3
Mix flour, Parmesan cheese, egg, garlic, kosher salt, and pepper together in a large bowl. Stir in zucchini.

4

Step 4
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

5

Step 5
Scoop batter by the tablespoon into the hot skillet and fry until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side.

6

Enjoy!

Notes

Easy Peasy Zucchini Fritters

Food Lover’s Dictionary: 

Zucchini [zoo-KEE-nee]: This popular summer squash is shaped like a slightly curved cylinder, a bit smaller at the top than the bottom. Fresh zucchini is available year-round in most supermarkets, with a peak period during late spring. Zucchini can be cooked by variety of methods, including steaming, grilling, sautéing, deep-frying and baking.


Copyright Barron’s Educational Services, Inc. 2009, adapted from The New Food Lover’s Companion, 2007, by Sharon Tyler Herbst and Ron Herbst.   •.  Reference: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/241422/easy-zucchini-fritters/Accessed Sept. 30, 2020


Cooking Tidbit: It is highly recommended that you use the cheesecloth to strain as much water out of the zucchini. If not enough water is removed, the fritters will not hold a firm, crispy form and texture.

Food Quote: “When I pass a flowering zucchini plant in a garden, my heart skips a beat.”

– Gwyneth Paltrow

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