Zucchini Fritters with Lemon Zest Yogurt

Ingredients

• 3 lb zucchini (grated)
• 1 tbsp salt (for drawing out moisture from zucchini)
• 0.5 tsp salt (for the batter)
• 2 eggs (beaten)
• 0.66 cup flour
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup manchego cheese (grated)
• 6 cloves garlic (minced)
• 0.33 cup mint (chopped)
• 0.33 cup dill (chopped)
• 0.33 cup scallions (chopped)
• 0.5 tsp black pepper (for the batter)
• 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper
• 3 cup neutral oil (for shallow frying)
• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 0.5 lemon zest (zest of 1/2 lemon)
• 1 lemon juice (juice of 1 lemon)
• 0.25 tsp salt (for the yogurt sauce)
• 0.25 tsp black pepper (for the yogurt sauce)
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Steps

1. 1

   Place the shredded zucchini in a bowl and add 1 tbsp of salt. Mix well and let it sit for 10 minutes to allow the salt to draw out the moisture.

2. 2

   After 10 minutes, transfer the zucchini to a strainer and squeeze out as much water as possible. Removing the excess liquid is essential for a crispy texture.

3. 3

   In a large mixing bowl, combine the squeezed zucchini, 1/2 tsp salt, 2 beaten eggs, 2/3 cup flour, 2 tsps baking powder, 1 cup grated manchego cheese, 6 cloves minced garlic, 1/3 cup chopped mint, 1/3 cup chopped dill, 1/3 cup chopped scallions, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper. Mix until thoroughly combined.

4. 4

   Heat the neutral oil in a frying pan over medium heat for shallow frying.

5. 5

   Drop the zucchini batter into the hot oil in spoonfuls (or use an ice cream scoop for uniform size). Shallow fry for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and crispy.

6. 6

   While the fritters cook, whisk together the Greek yogurt, lemon zest, lemon juice, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 2 tbsps olive oil in a small bowl until smooth.

7. 7

   Serve the hot zucchini fritters immediately with the lemon zest yogurt on the side for dipping.

Notes

The author suggests using an ice cream scooper to get the perfect size and shape for frying. The yogurt sauce is considered a 'non-negotiable' for the best flavor balance. Manchego cheese provides a nutty flavor similar to Parmesan.

Nutrition per serving

• appetizer
• main
• vegetarian
• shallow-fried
• summer
• snack
• Mediterranean