Zucchini-Walnut Fritters with Creamy Garlic-Herb Sauce

By Jamie Vespa

Crispy Zucchini-Walnut Fritters filled with summer squash and warm spices, and served with creamy Garlic-Herb Sauce. The most delicious way to sneak in an extra serving of veggies, these fritters will become a summertime staple.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs. zucchini, grated
• 1 tsp. kosher salt, divided
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour ((sub chickpea flour if making gluten free))
• 3 Tbsp. very finely chopped walnuts ((measured after chopping))
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 3/4 tsp. ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• Zest of 1 lemon (reserve juice for sauce)
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil for cooking
• 1/3 cup plain whole-milk Greek yogurt
• 2 Tbsp. mayonnaise ((I use avocado oil mayo))
• 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh chives or dill
• 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• 1 grated garlic clove
• 1/4 tsp. each kosher salt and black pepper
• 1/4 tsp. each kosher salt and black pepper

Instructions

1. 1

   Place shredded zucchini in a colander over a bowl, and mix with 1/2 tsp salt. Allow to drain for 15 minutes.Wrap zucchini in a clean kitchen towel, and squeeze over sink to extract as much moisture as possible. (The volume should shrink to about half the original.) Transfer zucchini to a large mixing bowl.

2. 2

   Meanwhile, prepare Creamy Garlic-Herb Sauce by combining yogurt, mayonnaise, chives (or dill), lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl; whisk to combine. Set aside until ready to use.

3. 3

   To the bowl with zucchini, add remainder of fritter ingredients (egg, flour, walnuts, baking powder, coriander, cumin, black pepper, lemon zest, and 1/4 tsp. salt); mix to well combine.

4. 4

   Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once oil is shimmering, place heaping 2-Tbsp amounts of zucchini batter in pan, spacing several inches apart. Use the back side of a spatula to flatten fritters until they're about 1/4 inch thick.Fry until golden-brown on one side, about 2 minutes, then gently flip and fry again until golden on the other side. Transfer to a wire rack. Continue frying remaining batter, adding more oil to pan as needed. Sprinkle fritters with remaining 1/4 tsp. salt. Serve warm with Creamy Garlic-Herb Sauce.