**Zucchini Fritters: A Culinary Symphony of Summer's Bounty**
As summer's golden rays bathe our gardens in warmth, zucchini plants thrive, their emerald vines laden with an abundance of verdant treasures. These versatile squashes, with their delicate flavor and tender texture, become the heart of a culinary delight: zucchini fritters. Envision golden-brown patties, crispy on the outside and soft and succulent within, embodying the essence of summer's harvest. They are a symphony of flavors, a harmonious blend of sweet zucchini, savory herbs, and tangy cheese. These fritters, with their irresistible charm, can be enjoyed as an appetizer, a side dish, or even as a vegetarian main course. Whether you prefer them plain or adorned with your favorite toppings, they promise a delightful culinary experience. This article presents a collection of delectable zucchini fritter recipes, each offering a unique twist on this classic dish. From Ina Garten's classic zucchini fritters, renowned for their simplicity and perfect balance of flavors, to variations that incorporate corn, feta cheese, or even sweet potato, there's a recipe here to tantalize every palate.
PARMESAN ROASTED ZUCCHINI
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- Trim the stem end of the zucchini, cut them in half lengthwise, and scoop out a small channel of seeds with a regular teaspoon. Place the zucchini in one layer on a sheet pan, brush generously all over with olive oil, and turn the zucchini cut side down. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt and roast for 12 to 15 minutes, until just tender but still firm when tested with the tip of a small paring knife.
- Meanwhile, make the bread crumbs. In a medium bowl, combine the garlic, parsley, basil, Parmesan, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Add the panko and 3 1/2 tablespoons of oil and mix well.
- Turn the zucchini cut side up and spoon a heaping tablespoon of the panko mixture evenly on each zucchini. Bake for another 8 to 10 minutes, until the panko is crispy. Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature.
ZUCCHINI PANCAKES
Provided by Ina Garten
Categories side-dish
Time 24m
Yield 10 (3-inch) pancakes
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
- Grate the zucchini into a bowl using the large grating side of a box grater. Immediately stir in the onion and eggs. Stir in 6 tablespoons of the flour, the baking powder, salt, and pepper. (If the batter gets too thin from the liquid in the zucchini, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of flour.)
- Heat a large (10 to 12-inch) saute pan over medium heat and melt 1/2 tablespoon butter and 1/2 tablespoon oil together in the pan. When the butter is hot but not smoking, lower the heat to medium-low and drop heaping soup spoons of batter into the pan. Cook the pancakes about 2 minutes on each side, until browned. Place the pancakes on a sheet pan and keep warm in the oven. Wipe out the pan with a dry paper towel, add more butter and oil to the pan, and continue to fry the pancakes until all the batter is used. The pancakes can stay warm in the oven for up to 30 minutes. Serve hot.
ZUCCHINI AND GRUYERE FRITTATA SQUARES
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 12-by-18-by-1-inch sheet pan with olive oil.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large (12-inch) saute pan over medium heat. Add the pancetta and saute for 5 minutes, until it begins to brown. Add the leeks and saute for 5 minutes, until tender. Add the zucchini and thyme and saute for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the zucchini is tender.
- Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Stir in two-thirds of the Gruyere and the basil.
- Pour the zucchini mixture in an even, well distributed layer into the prepared sheet pan. Pour the egg mixture over the top and sprinkle with the remaining Gruyere. Shake the pan to evenly distribute the egg mixture. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until puffed and just set in the center. Allow to sit at room temperature for 5 minutes. Cut the frittata into 30 equal size squares, sprinkle with salt, garnish with the julienned basil and serve hot, warm or at room temperature.
ZUCCHINI GRATIN
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Melt the butter in a very large (12-inch) saute pan and cook the onions over low heat for 20 minutes, or until tender but not browned. Add the zucchini and cook, covered, for 10 minutes, or until tender. Add the salt, pepper, and nutmeg and cook uncovered for 5 more minutes. Stir in the flour. Add the hot milk and cook over low heat for a few minutes, until it makes a sauce. Pour the mixture into an 8 by 10-inch baking dish.
- Combine the bread crumbs and Gruyere and sprinkle on top of the zucchini mixture. Dot with 1 tablespoon of butter cut into small bits and bake for 20 minutes, or until bubbly and browned.
ZUCCHINI WITH PARMESAN
Steps:
- Remove the ends of the zucchini and, if they are large, cut in half lengthwise. Slice the zucchini diagonally in 1/2-inch slices. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large (12-inch) saute pan and add the onions. Cook for 10 minutes on medium-low heat, until they start to brown. Add half the zucchini, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to the pan and cook, tossing occasionally, for 10 to 15 minutes, until just cooked through. Sprinkle with Parmesan and cook for 30 seconds more. Remove to a serving platter and repeat with the rest of the zucchini. Serve immediately.
- Note: If you cook too much zucchini in one pan, you end up steaming rather than sauteing it. I prefer to cook it in 2 batches.
ZUCCHINI GRATIN
Get Ina Garten's cheesy Zucchini Gratin recipe from Barefoot Contessa on Food Network. Nutty Gruy�re cheese pairs well with the soft flavors of the squash.
Provided by Ina Garten
Categories side-dish
Time 1h5m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Melt the butter in a very large (12-inch) saute pan and cook the onions over low heat for 20 minutes, or until tender but not browned. Add the zucchini and cook, covered, for 10 minutes, or until tender. Add the salt, pepper, and nutmeg and cook uncovered for 5 more minutes. Stir in the flour. Add the hot milk and cook over low heat for a few minutes, until it makes a sauce. Pour the mixture into an 8 by 10-inch baking dish.
- Combine the bread crumbs and Gruyere and sprinkle on top of the zucchini mixture. Dot with 1 tablespoon of butter cut into small bits and bake for 20 minutes, or until bubbly and browned.
ZUCCHINI FRITTERS
Salting the grated zucchini helps draw out the excess moisture before squeezing it dry - this step is the trick that keeps these golden brown fritters from becoming soggy.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories side-dish
Time 25m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Grate the zucchini into a colander in the sink; toss with 2 teaspoons salt. Let sit for 10 minutes, then squeeze out the liquid.
- In a bowl, stir to combine the zucchini, scallions, parsley, dill, egg, Parmesan and flour.
- Heat a thin layer of olive oil in a pan over medium to medium-high heat. Drop spoonfuls of the zucchini batter into the skillet and pan-fry, flattening with a spatula, until golden-brown in spots, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels and season with salt.
THE BEST ZUCCHINI FRITTERS EVER
This recipe was given to me after smelling them cooking in my neighbor's kitchen while working in the garden. Zucchini is mixed with onion and cheese into some heavenly fritters. I look forward to making them every summer, all summer! You will too!!!
Provided by JEWELLS733
Categories Side Dish Vegetables Squash Zucchini Fried Zucchini Recipes
Time 25m
Yield 30
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- In a large bowl, mix together the zucchini, onion, eggs, Romano cheese, milk, and flour. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and parsley.
- Heat about 1 tablespoon of shortening in a large skillet over medium heat. Drop 1/4 cupfuls of the batter into the skillet, and flatten slightly with the back of a spatula. Turn fritters over when the center appears dry. Cook on the other side until golden brown. Set aside and keep warm. Add more shortening to skillet as needed, and continue with remaining batter.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 67.3 calories, Carbohydrate 7.5 g, Cholesterol 21.3 mg, Fat 3 g, Fiber 0.4 g, Protein 2.6 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 35.6 mg, Sugar 0.8 g
Tips:
- Choose the right zucchini. Look for small to medium-sized zucchini that are firm and have smooth skin. Avoid zucchini that are too large or have blemishes.
- Grate the zucchini coarsely. This will help the fritters to be crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.
- Squeeze out the excess moisture from the zucchini. This will help the fritters to hold their shape.
- Use a combination of all-purpose flour and cornmeal. This will give the fritters a crispy exterior and a tender interior.
- Season the fritters generously. Use salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to taste.
- Heat the oil to the correct temperature before frying the fritters. The oil should be shimmering but not smoking.
- Fry the fritters in batches. Do not overcrowd the pan, or the fritters will not cook evenly.
- Drain the fritters on paper towels before serving. This will help to remove any excess oil.
Conclusion:
Ina Garten's zucchini fritters are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer or side dish. They are perfect for using up summer zucchini, and they can be served with a variety of dipping sauces. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can enjoy these delicious fritters. So next time you have some zucchini on hand, give this recipe a try!
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