Baked kolokithokeftedes with feta, or Greek zucchini fritters, are a conventional meze. They are made with a great deal of grated zucchini, crumbled Greek feta and some extra easy elements like oil, breadcrumbs and easy seasonings. You shall be amazed by how straightforward they’re, and the way gentle!
I make these baked zucchini fritters with feta weekly, particularly throughout the summer season. When you might have a variety of zucchini, this are a tremendous recipe to attempt. You will certainly get pleasure from that these baked kolokithokeftedes, particularly in case you are in search of lighter recipes.
The phrase kolokithokeftedes interprets to zucchini meatballs and this recipe incorporates a number of the most flavourful elements potential. The Greek weight loss plan consists of many fritters and what are referred to as pseftokeftedes (faux meatballs) which might be made from greens. Examples of those embrace tomato fritters and chickpea fritters.
Our dad and mom are avid gardeners, they usually develop a lot zucchini! Fortunately, Greeks love cooking with this summer season squash and it’s utilized in a wide range of recipes, together with stuffing them when making yemista, making a easy steamed zucchini salad referred to as kolokithosalata, and together with them in with the stewed inexperienced beans and potatoes.
One of my favorite go-to recipes is that this one. You will certainly like it as a lot as I do!
Why this recipe works
You are going to completely love how straightforward these baked zucchini fritters with feta are. They require only some elements, nothing fancy, they usually come collectively quite rapidly.
We love that there’s A LOT of zucchini on this recipe! If you might have a lot of summer season squash at house and are afraid that it’d go to waste, then it is best to undoubtedly make this recipe. You will use 3 giant or 6 medium zucchini to make roughly 24 fritters.
These fritters may also be made forward. Sometimes I put together them proper up till baking, after which pop them into the oven to prepare dinner.
Key elements for conventional Greek kolokithokeftedes
Zucchini – The star of this recipe is in fact the zucchini. I take advantage of contemporary, backyard grown inexperienced zucchini at any time when potential. If you might be selecting your zucchini up on the grocery retailer or market make sure to wash it nicely as you may be grating it with the peel on.
Breadcrumbs – Plain breadcrumbs act because the filler on this recipe, they usually additionally assist soak up any liquid that will stay after squeezing the water out of the zucchini. Breadcrumbs add a pleasant delicate crunch to the fritters.
Eggs – These assist bind the filling collectively in order that the fritters retain their form and don’t break aside when you’re consuming them.
Feta – Using Greek feta, which is made with sheep milk (or a mixture of sheep and goat milk), is vital to creating these baked zucchini fritters actually one thing particular.
Substitutions
If you don’t have the precise elements listed within the recipe, don’t fret. There are some straightforward substitutions that you may make so that you could nonetheless get pleasure from baked zucchini fritters.
Zucchini
You can use yellow summer season squash when you choose, or perhaps a mixture of inexperienced and yellow zucchini. The flavour may be very related, they usually can be utilized interchangeably.
Cheese
If you don’t have feta cheese (or if you don’t prefer it!) then you should use one other cheese, ideally a Greek one. Grated halloumi, finely chopped kefalotyri or graviera would work nicely. In a pinch, when you would quite not use Greek cheese, you should use crumbled goat cheese and even grated cheddar.
Breadcrumbs
If you would not have plain breadcrumbs you should use all-purpose flour instead.
Oil
We use vegetable oil in these baked fritters as a result of it’s a gentle flavour. You can definitely use the identical quantity of olive oil nevertheless, and even melted coconut oil or butter.
How to make
Making these baked zucchini fritters doesn’t should be irritating. You will see how straightforward and simple this recipe is!
Preparation
- Wash and dry your zucchini.
- Crumble your feta in a small bowl and put aside.
- Lightly beat your eggs in a small bowl and put aside.
- Preheat oven to 350 levels Fahrenheit.
- Line your baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 1
Grate your zucchini into a big bowl. Add salt and blend it round along with your fingers, squeezing the zucchini to start releasing a number of the water.
Step 2
Use a cheesecloth or clear kitchen towel to squeeze out as a lot of the liquid as you’ll be able to out of your grated zucchini. Transfer drained zucchini to a big bowl and discard the liquid.
Step 3
To the zucchini add the eggs, crumbled feta, vegetable oil, breadcrumbs, remaining salt, and black pepper, vegetable oil. The combination ought to be moist, however it ought to retain its form whenever you form your fritters. If they don’t maintain collectively add extra breadcrumbs (or flour).
Step 4
Shape your kolokithokeftedes. Take 1 tablespoon of combination in your fingers, make a ball and place it on the parchment lined baking sheet. Flatten along with your fingers till the fritter is about 1/3 inch thick.
Cooking directions
Step 1
Bake your kolokithokeftedes on the decrease rack of your oven for 45 – 60 minutes till they’re golden brown.
Step 2
Allow to chill for five minutes earlier than transferring off of the baking tray.
Cooking suggestions
Making baked zucchini fritters with feta is very easy, however there are some issues to bear in mind.
Drain your zucchini very nicely
You should be actually cautious about eradicating as a lot of the water as you’ll be able to out of your grated zucchini. If you don’t do this then you’ll find yourself with a soggy combination that won’t retain its form. The salt that you simply add to the grated zucchini initially actually helps to attract out a number of the liquid. When you might be squeezing your zucchini with a cheesecloth make sure to do that basically nicely. When I’ve time I prefer to let my grated zucchini sit for some time after I’ve squeezed the liquid out, after which I do it once more. I normally at all times have extra liquid that may be eliminated.
Allow the fritters to chill earlier than dealing with them
These fritters will simply crumble when you attempt to take away them from the baking sheet as quickly as they arrive out of the oven. Allow them to chill for a minimum of 5 minutes, after which switch the to both a cooling rack or a platter.
Recipe variations
If you wish to elevate your zucchini fritters you’ll be able to contemplate doing the next variations!
Add herbs
Our easy zucchini fritter recipe doesn’t include any herbs, however you’ll be able to definitely add some contemporary parsley, contemporary dill and even contemporary mint. I’d counsel that you simply add as much as 1/4 cup of contemporary herbs.
Add some citrus
The grated zest and the juice of 1 lemon would make a brilliant and scrumptious addition to those zucchini fritters. Lemon does quite a bit to carry out the flavour of the zucchini and feta.
What to serve with
Honestly, these baked zucchini fritters are so good that you may definitely snack on them on their very own. Otherwise, listed here are some nice issues you’ll be able to serve them with.
Tzatziki
This basic Greek yogourt based mostly dip is totally wonderful when served with zucchini fritters. Serve a bowl of tzatziki alongside along with your zucchini fritters for dipping! So good.
Tyrokafteri
If you wish to serve one thing spicy alongside along with your baked zucchini fritters, contemplate making the wonderful spicy feta dip referred to as tyrokafteri. I really like how straightforward it’s to make this dip, and how one can select to make it spicier or milder, in response to your style!
Frequently requested questions
Why are my baked zucchini fritters falling aside?
If there may be an excessive amount of liquid in your zucchini combination then they could crumble after baking. Be positive to squeeze out as a lot liquid as potential our of your zucchini earlier than mixing all your different elements collectively.
Can I fry these zucchini fritters with feta?
You can! Coat the underside of your pan with oil to cowl and fry your fritters over medium excessive warmth. Turn rigorously and take away when either side are golden brown and the fritters are cooked by means of. This ought to take 3 – 5 minutes per aspect.
Storing and Reheating
If you might have leftover zucchini fritters, or in case you are making them upfront, listed here are some suggestions for storing and reheating.
Fridge – Keep your baked zucchini fritters within the fridge for as much as 3 days.
Freezer – You can freeze your baked zucchini fritters. Freeze them on a baking tray and retailer in a freezer secure bag.
Reheating – There are some ways to reheat your zucchini fritters. I don’t suggest the microwave as a result of that can end in soggy zucchini fritters. Instead, reheat them in an oven set to 350 levels Fahrenheit for roughly 10 minutes till heated by means of. An air fryer additionally works nicely, as does reheating them on a dry non-stick frying pan.
If you might be in search of extra nice zucchini recipes, I believe it is best to undoubtedly examine these out!
Serving measurement
This recipe will make 24 baked zucchini fritters with feta. You can simply double or half the recipe.
Each particular person might be served 4 – 6 zucchini fritters, relying on what else is being served, and the way hungry they’re!
- 3 giant (or 6 medium) zucchini
- 2 tsps salt, divided
- 2 eggs giant
- 1 cup grated feta
- 1/2 tsp floor black pepper
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs plain
- 1/4 cup flour or breadcrumbs if wanted
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Preheat oven to 350 °F
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Grate your 3 giant (or 6 medium) zucchini (unpeeled) and place in a big bowl.
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Add 1 ½ teaspoons salt to your zucchini and blend nicely utilizing your fingers. Squeeze the zucchini along with your fingers as you might be mixing within the salt to assist launch the water.
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Use your cheesecloth (or a clear kitchen towel) to squeeze out as a lot water as you’ll be able to from the zucchini. Transfer the drained zucchini to a different giant bowl. You ought to find yourself with roughly 5 cups of drained, shredded zucchini.
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To your zucchini add the 2 eggs, the 1 cup grated feta, the 1/2 tsp floor black pepper, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, 1/2 cup breadcrumbs, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of salt and blend to mix.
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Start shaping the fritters. Take a heaping tablespoon at a time and form right into a flat circle about 1/3 inch thick. The kolokithokeftedes ought to maintain its form, however will probably be moist. If they’re too moist and don’t maintain their form, add some flour or extra breadcrumbs, somewhat at a time. You could use as much as 1/4 cup flour or breadcrumbs.
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Place your fritters on a parchment lined baking sheet.
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Bake on backside rack of your oven till they brown on prime and backside, ensuring that they do not burn. This ought to take between 45-60 minutes.
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Allow the fritters to chill for five minutes on the baking tray earlier than transferring them to a cooling rack or plate. Enjoy!
Calories: 36kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Trans Fat: 0.001g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 100mg | Potassium: 78mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 97IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 0.3mg
