Description
These Zucchini & Polenta Fritters are a delightful combination of tender zucchini and creamy polenta, pan-fried to a golden crisp. Perfect as a light snack or appetizer, they are easy to prepare and bursting with fresh flavors from Parmesan, green onions, garlic, and parsley. Serve them warm with your favorite dipping sauce for a satisfying treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 medium zucchinis, grated
- 1 cup cooked and cooled polenta
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 2 green onions, finely chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
For Cooking
- Vegetable oil, for pan-frying
Instructions
- Prepare zucchini: Place the grated zucchini in a clean towel and squeeze out as much moisture as possible to prevent soggy fritters.
- Mix ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the drained zucchini, cooked polenta, flour, Parmesan cheese, green onions, minced garlic, egg, salt, black pepper, and chopped parsley. Stir until the mixture is well combined.
- Heat oil: Heat a thin layer of vegetable oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat, ensuring it’s hot enough for frying but not smoking.
- Form fritters: Scoop 2 to 3 tablespoons of the batter per fritter into the hot skillet. Flatten each slightly with a spatula to form even patties.
- Cook fritters: Cook each fritter for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and crisp. Avoid overcrowding the pan to maintain heat and even cooking.
- Drain and serve: Transfer cooked fritters to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Repeat the cooking process with remaining batter. Serve warm with sour cream, yogurt, or your preferred dipping sauce.
Notes
- You can omit Parmesan cheese for a dairy-free version, or substitute with a vegan alternative.
- Be sure to squeeze out as much water as possible from the zucchini to get crispy fritters.
- These fritters can be made ahead and reheated in a skillet or oven to retain their crispiness.
- For extra flavor, try adding a pinch of smoked paprika or chili flakes to the batter.
- Leftover fritters can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated before serving.
