Description
These Butternut Squash Fritters are a delicious and versatile dish perfect for appetizers, lunch, or even a main course. Made with grated butternut squash, Parmesan cheese, eggs, and fresh sage, these fritters are pan-fried to golden perfection, creating a crisp outside and tender inside. They’re easy to prepare and a great way to enjoy the natural sweetness of butternut squash in a savory, satisfying form.
Ingredients
Fritters
- 1 medium-sized butternut squash (about 500 g grated)
- 2 eggs
- 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
- 75 g plain flour (⅔ cup)
- 1 garlic clove, peeled and finely chopped
- 3 fresh sage leaves, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 5 tablespoons vegetable oil (for frying)
Instructions
- Prepare the squash: Peel, deseed, and chop the butternut squash into large chunks for easier handling.
- Grate the squash: Using the large holes of a box grater, grate the squash chunks until you have approximately 500 g (1.1 lb) of grated squash.
- Mix the batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the grated squash, plain flour, grated Parmesan, finely chopped garlic, sage leaves, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to blend all ingredients evenly.
- Add eggs: Beat the eggs lightly, then pour them into the squash mixture. Mix thoroughly to form a thick, cohesive batter.
- Heat the pan: Place a large frying pan over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, allowing it to warm up.
- Form and cook fritters: Drop heaped tablespoons of the mixture into the pan, gently flattening each into about 1 cm thickness using the back of a spoon. Cook each fritter for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Repeat frying: Add more oil if necessary and continue frying the remaining batter in batches until all fritters are cooked.
- Serve: Remove the fritters from the pan and drain on paper towels if desired. Serve warm as an appetizer, lunch, or light main course.
Notes
- You can substitute Parmesan with any hard cheese of your choice for different flavors.
- For a gluten-free version, replace plain flour with chickpea flour or gluten-free flour blend.
- Ensure the pan is not too hot to prevent burning while allowing the fritters to cook through.
- These fritters can be served with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt and a sprinkle of fresh herbs for extra taste.
- Leftover fritters can be refrigerated and gently reheated in a pan or oven to retain crispness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: International
