Discover the authentic flavors of Middle Eastern cuisine with Lebanese zucchini fritters. Follow me on my journey of discovering this mouth-watering dish and how you can recreate it at home. Additionally, I’ve scored the coveted recipe from a local Middle Eastern restaurant, and now you too can impress your taste buds and guests with this savory treat!
Undoubtedly, Lebanese cuisine is famous for its diverse and unique dishes enjoyed worldwide. Additionally, one morning, my family and I visited a Middle Eastern restaurant in San Jose, California, where we were served a side dish that we couldn’t get enough of – Lebanese zucchini fritters.
While we savored the fritters’ delicious flavors, we noticed a customer pretending to have a food allergy. Furthermore, was attempting to get special treatment, which made me feel uneasy. It’s a disservice to the restaurant and staff, who work tirelessly to ensure every guest has an enjoyable dining experience. Nevertheless, despite what happened, I couldn’t help but think about the dish we enjoyed and how it was made with care and effort.
Before leaving the restaurant, I decided to approach the owner and begged for the recipe for the zucchini fritters. To my surprise, the owner agreed to share the recipe with me. Consequently, I was thrilled and couldn’t wait to try making them at home.
The recipe for the fritters, having been passed through generations, has become part of Lebanese culture and is widely used in households. While I made the treats, it was hard not to contemplate its importance and the rich traditions behind it.
Making the fritters at home was a great way to connect with the dish’s culture and history. I appreciated the effort and hard work that went into making the dish in the restaurant. Furthermore, it gave me an understanding of the pride and effort that Lebanese people put into their cooking.
Ultimately, the experience at the Middle Eastern restaurant taught me more than just a recipe. In addition, it taught me to appreciate and respect different cultures, traditions, and the hard work of making each dish. Food is a significant part of every culture and brings people together. Trying new foods is an excellent way to explore and appreciate other cultures, so we should always approach dining experiences with an open mind and a willingness to learn.
The morning I spent at the Middle Eastern restaurant in San Jose was a memorable experience that taught me about the culture and history of Lebanese cuisine. I will always cherish the experience and recipe the owner shared with me. It’s an experience I will always remember, and the Lebanese zucchini fritters will always be a favorite in my household.
So here is how I create Lebanese zucchini fritters.
Ingredients:
- 5 eggs from free-range chickens
- 1 crushed garlic clove
- ¾ tsp of Baharat (a Lebanese spice mix)
- 1 ½ teaspoons of salt
- ½ cup of self-raising flour, sifted (about 75 g)
- ½ cup of finely chopped parsley
- ¼ cup of finely chopped mint
- 1 ½ cups of grated Lebanese zucchini
- ¼ cup onion or ½ cup shallots (green only).
- ¼ cup of olive oil for frying
- 1 cup of plain yogurt
- 1 garlic clove
- 2 vine-ripened tomatoes, chopped (optional)
- Lebanese bread for serving
How to create Lebanese zucchini fritters?
- Wash and dry the herbs the day before you are ready to cook. Chop them up into small pieces. This step is essential for creating a tasty dish.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, garlic, baharat, and salt until combined. Then gradually add the flour to create a smooth batter. Lastly, stir through the herbs, zucchini, and onion until it is evenly distributed.
- Coat a frypan in olive oil and turn the heat to medium. Scoop 6 heaped tablespoons of the mixture and cook both sides of each fritter for 2 minutes until they are golden brown. Repeat the process with any remaining mixture.
- Using a paper towel to soak up extra oil, fritters should be transferred to a dish. Serving either warm or at room temperature. Maybe served with yogurt, garlic, and chopped tomato, or you can roll them up into Lebanese bread.
Do you want to make your Lebanese zucchini fritters experience more exciting? Zucchini fritter is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed in various ways, and here are some unique twists that you could try at home.
Firstly, you could make them into mini sliders by serving them between two small pieces of Lebanese bread with a dollop of hummus and a slice of tomato. This would be perfect for a party or a gathering where finger foods are the preferred option.
Another twist you could try is topping the fritters with a poached egg and serving them for breakfast. This would be a great way to start your day with a Middle Eastern-inspired meal. Alternatively, you could turn the fritters into a wrap by filling a large piece of Lebanese bread with the fritters, yogurt, tomato, and a drizzle of hot sauce. This would be perfect for a quick lunch or a picnic.
For a salty and creamy twist, you could add some crumbled feta cheese to the batter mixture. The feta cheese would add a tangy and salty flavor that would complement the savory fritters. Alternatively, you could make a dipping sauce using tahini, lemon juice, and water and serve the fritters as an appetizer. This would be perfect for a gathering where people can dip the fritters into the sauce and enjoy them as a snack.
If you’re looking for a more filling meal, you could make a sandwich by filling pita bread with fritters, hummus, and your favorite vegetables. This would be a great lunch option that would keep you full and satisfied for the rest of the day. Alternatively, you could turn the fritters into a salad by serving them over a bed of mixed greens, sliced cucumber, and cherry tomatoes, and dressing them with a lemon and olive oil vinaigrette. This would be perfect for a light and healthy dinner!
Finally, you could make them into tacos by filling corn tortillas with fritters, yogurt, and sliced avocado. This twist would add a Mexican-inspired touch to the Middle Eastern dish, and the combination of flavors would be simply irresistible. Try out these unique twists and see which one becomes your new favorite way to enjoy Lebanese zucchini fritters!
Thank you for joining me on this journey of discovering delicious Lebanese zucchini fritters. I hope that this recipe has inspired you to try something new and explore Middle Eastern cuisine. Remember to always approach dining experiences with an open mind and respect for different cultures and traditions. Food brings people together, so let’s enjoy it with honesty and integrity. Enjoy cooking and exploring new flavors!
