Zucchini Fritters & Champagne!

Happy Friday! Love zucchini fritters, one of my favorite nibbles while sipping a sparkling vino, or enjoy eating, and drinking a nice glass of Champagne. By popular demand I’m posting my fitter recipe since I received a few requests on how to make them, plus they’re gluten-free. Interesting how something so easy to make, is also so delicious. I love making these fitters for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Yes, fritters are a fantastic idea for that Sunday brunch party too.

This recipe yields approximately six to seven fritters.

You will need:

• 1/2 pound of zucchini or three medium size zucchinis

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (I like using the grated Parmigiano Reggiano)

• 2 eggs beaten

• 1/4 cup Almond or Pecan flour (pecan flour has a richer taste to it)

• 1 tablespoon chives (freeze dried)

• 1 tablespoon parsley (freeze dried)

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

First hand-grate the zucchini onto clean paper towels. Gather the paper towel ends and squeeze to remove any excess moisture. You may have to do a second and third time to get all the water residual out. Place grated zucchini into a large bowl stirring in Parmesan cheese, eggs, almond flour, chives, parsley, garlic powder, and black pepper.

Next, heat enough vegetable oil in a large frying pan. Add 2 tablespoons full of the zucchini mixture for each fritter into oil. Perhaps cooking three or four fritters at a time. Cook three to four minutes on each side until they are crispy solid cakes. Place cooked zucchini cakes on paper towels to drain excess oil, and try to keep them warm while you cook the remaining fitters.

Serve hot with a spoonful of Thai Chili Jam. Most grocery stores carry Thai Chili Jam, make sure you get the sweet and spicy version.

My vino pairing thought for these fried zucchini fritters is a sparkling wine, or better yet, Champagne. Why?!? Because today Friday, October 27, 2023 is Champagne Day. Besides, any sparkling wine, or “Champagne” pairs fantastic with fried foods, especially fried chicken. We’re getting some healthy vegetables in our diet today, as well as, celebrating with a true “Champagne”. Bear in mind, Champagne only comes from Champagne, France. Therefore, the easy and short answer is sparkling wine can only be called “Champagne” if it is made in the region of Champagne which is in the country of France.

To simply the thought, all Champagne is sparkling wine, but not all sparkling wine is Champagne. Cheers to Champagne Day, and cheers to my delicious zucchini fritters!