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Kolokithokeftedes (Greek Zucchini Fritters)

Crispy Greek zucchini fritters made with fresh herbs, crumbled feta, and a golden fried crust. A beloved summer meze from the Greek islands.
Servings 4 servings (about 20 fritters)
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

For the Batter

  • 4 medium zucchini about 700g (1.5 lbs)
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt for sweating the zucchini
  • 150 g (5 oz) Greek feta cheese, crumbled
  • 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
  • 3 tablespoons fresh mint, finely chopped
  • 3 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped
  • 4 scallions, thinly sliced white and light green parts
  • 1 clove garlic, finely grated
  • 1/2 cup (65g) all-purpose flour
  • freshly ground black pepper

For Frying and Serving

  • olive oil for shallow frying, about 1 cm deep
  • flaky sea salt for finishing
  • lemon wedges
  • tzatziki or thick Greek yogurt for serving

Instructions

  • Grate the zucchini using the large holes of a box grater into a large bowl. Toss with 1 teaspoon fine sea salt. Let sit for 15-30 minutes - the salt draws out moisture that would otherwise make the fritters soggy.
  • Transfer salted zucchini to a clean kitchen towel. Gather edges and twist, squeezing firmly over the sink until barely any liquid remains. You will extract close to a cup of liquid. My yiayia said: if you think you have squeezed enough, squeeze one more time. She was right.
  • Place squeezed zucchini in a clean dry bowl. Add crumbled feta, beaten eggs, mint, dill, scallions, and garlic. Mix gently with a fork until evenly distributed. Add flour and black pepper. Fold in - do not overmix or fritters will be tough. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  • Pour olive oil into a large heavy-bottomed skillet to a depth of about 1 cm (1/2 inch). Heat over medium-high until the oil shimmers and a small drop of batter sizzles immediately on contact. Temperature should be 170-180C (340-355F).
  • Scoop tablespoon portions of batter and gently slide into the hot oil, pressing lightly to flatten into discs about 6-7 cm (2.5 inches) across. Work in batches of 5-6, leaving space between fritters. Fry 2-3 minutes per side until deep golden brown and crisp.
  • Transfer to a wire rack set over a sheet pan to drain. Sprinkle with flaky sea salt while still hot. Serve warm with lemon wedges and tzatziki or thick Greek yogurt. Best within 20 minutes of frying.

Notes

The most important step is removing moisture from the zucchini. Salt, rest, then squeeze until almost no liquid remains.
Fresh herbs are essential - dried mint and dill will not produce the same flavor.
Batter can be refrigerated for up to 2 hours before frying if needed.
For a baked version: form patties on a parchment-lined sheet pan, brush with olive oil, and bake at 200C (400F) for 12-15 minutes per side.
Leftovers keep 3 days in the refrigerator. Reheat on a wire rack in a 190C (375F) oven for 8-10 minutes. Do not microwave.
To freeze: fry, cool completely, freeze on a baking sheet then transfer to a bag. Reheat directly from frozen in the oven, 12-15 minutes.
Author: Nikolaos Saragias
Calories: 245kcal
Course: Appetizer, Meze, Side Dish
Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Keyword: Greek zucchini fritters, kolokithokeftedes

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 245kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Sodium: 580mg | Fiber: 2g