Greek-style zucchini fritters (or meatballs): to order them in Greece just say Kolokythokeftédes, Κολοκυθοκεφτέδες …or "zucchini balls " and we do first.
They are zucchini and feta meatballs (or pancakes depending on the shape, I prefer the flattened shape for more uniform cooking). Feta cheese (inevitable in Greek dishes a bit like mozzarella in Campania!) Is very tasty, crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside! Originally from Crete, these meatballs are always found in the menus of restaurants and taverns !! Thanks to the mint and lemon zest they have a very fresh taste, one really leads to another, little oil is used and they are also suitable for vegetarians. Amazing! Here are some tricks to make them come perfect. In the next few days I will post other Greek recipes, I hope you like them !!
Read also tzatziki sauce, portocalopita
INGREDIENTS for 12 pancakes
- 500 gr of zucchini
- 200 gr of Feta cheese
- 2 eggs
- 80 grams of flour 00
- 2 green stalks of cippollotti
- a few mint leaves
- a few basil leaves
- dill (optional)
- chili pepper (optional)
- grated zest of 1 lemon
- salt
- 3-4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
Let's put a tea towel in a bowl and we grate inside of the courgettes with a grater with large holes, add half a teaspoon of salt up and turn a bit with our hands
close the cloth and tighten to let the vegetation water escape (as in the video above).
We put the zucchini in another bowl. Let's add the mint, the basil and the green stem of spring onions the zest of 1 lemon, the chili pepper in powder, le egg and the feta crumbled with your hands; mix until all the ingredients are combined.
Finally we add the Flour and mix briefly otherwise the dough will harden and absorb a lot of oil.
Let's take one no stick pan and add 2-3 tablespoons of oil extra virgin olive oil, heat the oil and add a little mixture using 2 tablespoons, give the flattened shape like hamburger but thinner (it will serve to cook faster and evenly, in the shape of a meatball the central part would remain raw not being immersed in oil).
We cook a few minutes on both sides until golden brown.
The outside will be golden-brown and crunchy, while the inside will be soft. Serve still hot with a few drops of lemon or with Greek tzatziki sauce.
Kαλή όρεξη! Enjoy your meal!