Name: Zucchini Corn Fritter Stack
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: Zucchini: 2 medium zucchini, grated – Provides a mild, slightly sweet base and essential moisture for the fritters.; Corn: 1 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen (thawed) – Adds sweetness and a delightful pop of texture to the fritters. Fresh corn straight off the cob is ideal for the best summery flavor.; All-Purpose Flour: ¾ cup all-purpose flour – The binding agent for the fritters, providing structure and a slightly crispy exterior. You can also use gluten-free blends for dietary needs.; Egg: 1 large egg – Another crucial binder, adding richness and helping to create a cohesive fritter batter.; Red Onion: ¼ cup red onion, finely diced – Lends a subtle sharpness and aromatic depth to the fritters, complementing the sweetness of the corn and zucchini.; Garlic: 2 cloves garlic, minced – Essential for savory flavor, garlic enhances all the other ingredients and adds a pleasant pungency.; Fresh Herbs: ¼ cup chopped fresh herbs (parsley, cilantro, or chives) – Adds freshness and vibrancy. Parsley provides a clean, grassy note, cilantro a bright citrusy flavor, and chives a mild oniony taste. Choose your favorite or a mix!; Spices: ½ teaspoon cumin, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper – A warm and smoky spice blend that elevates the fritter flavor profile, adding complexity and depth. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.; Olive Oil: For frying – Used to shallow fry the fritters, creating a golden-brown, crispy exterior.; Avocado: 1 ripe avocado, sliced – Adds creamy richness and healthy fats to the stack, contrasting beautifully with the crispy fritters.; Tomato: 1 large ripe tomato, sliced – Provides juicy acidity and freshness, cutting through the richness of the avocado and fritters. Choose a flavorful variety like heirloom or beefsteak tomatoes.; Cilantro-Lime Crema: ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt – Forms the creamy base of the crema, adding tanginess and moisture. Greek yogurt will be slightly tangier and higher in protein.; 2 tablespoons lime juice, fresh – Provides bright, citrusy acidity, balancing the richness of the crema and avocado. Freshly squeezed is always best.; ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro – Reinforces the fresh herb element and adds a vibrant, citrusy-herbal note to the crema.; Salt to taste – Enhances the flavors and balances the acidity.

Ingredients

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For this delightful Zucchini Corn Fritter Stack, we’ll be harnessing the best of summer produce. Here’s what you’ll need:

Zucchini: 2 medium zucchini, grated – Provides a mild, slightly sweet base and essential moisture for the fritters.
Corn: 1 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen (thawed) – Adds sweetness and a delightful pop of texture to the fritters. Fresh corn straight off the cob is ideal for the best summery flavor.
All-Purpose Flour: ¾ cup all-purpose flour – The binding agent for the fritters, providing structure and a slightly crispy exterior. You can also use gluten-free blends for dietary needs.
Egg: 1 large egg – Another crucial binder, adding richness and helping to create a cohesive fritter batter.
Red Onion: ¼ cup red onion, finely diced – Lends a subtle sharpness and aromatic depth to the fritters, complementing the sweetness of the corn and zucchini.
Garlic: 2 cloves garlic, minced – Essential for savory flavor, garlic enhances all the other ingredients and adds a pleasant pungency.
Fresh Herbs: ¼ cup chopped fresh herbs (parsley, cilantro, or chives) – Adds freshness and vibrancy. Parsley provides a clean, grassy note, cilantro a bright citrusy flavor, and chives a mild oniony taste. Choose your favorite or a mix!
Spices: ½ teaspoon cumin, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper – A warm and smoky spice blend that elevates the fritter flavor profile, adding complexity and depth. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
Olive Oil: For frying – Used to shallow fry the fritters, creating a golden-brown, crispy exterior.
Avocado: 1 ripe avocado, sliced – Adds creamy richness and healthy fats to the stack, contrasting beautifully with the crispy fritters.
Tomato: 1 large ripe tomato, sliced – Provides juicy acidity and freshness, cutting through the richness of the avocado and fritters. Choose a flavorful variety like heirloom or beefsteak tomatoes.
Cilantro-Lime Crema:
- ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt – Forms the creamy base of the crema, adding tanginess and moisture. Greek yogurt will be slightly tangier and higher in protein.
- 2 tablespoons lime juice, fresh – Provides bright, citrusy acidity, balancing the richness of the crema and avocado. Freshly squeezed is always best.
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro – Reinforces the fresh herb element and adds a vibrant, citrusy-herbal note to the crema.
- Salt to taste – Enhances the flavors and balances the acidity.

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Instructions

Let’s get cooking and create these delicious Zucchini Corn Fritter Stacks! Follow these step-by-step instructions for fritter perfection:

Step 1: Prepare the Zucchini

Grate the zucchini using a box grater or food processor. Place the grated zucchini in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth. Squeeze out as much excess moisture as possible. This is a crucial step! Zucchini is naturally high in water content, and removing excess moisture will prevent soggy fritters and ensure they crisp up beautifully during frying. Squeeze firmly until you can’t extract any more liquid. You’ll be surprised how much water comes out!

Step 2: Combine Fritter Ingredients

In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the squeezed zucchini, corn kernels, all-purpose flour, egg, diced red onion, minced garlic, chopped fresh herbs, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything together thoroughly until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the batter, as this can develop the gluten in the flour and result in tougher fritters. A few lumps are perfectly fine.

Step 3: Heat the Oil

Place a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat. Add about ¼ inch of olive oil to the skillet and let it heat up. You’ll know the oil is ready when a drop of batter sizzles gently when added to the pan. Don’t overheat the oil, or the fritters will cook too quickly on the outside and remain raw in the center.

Step 4: Fry the Fritters

Once the oil is hot, drop spoonfuls of the fritter batter into the skillet, about 2-3 tablespoons per fritter, depending on your desired size. Don’t overcrowd the pan; work in batches to maintain the oil temperature and ensure even cooking. Gently flatten the fritters slightly with the back of a spoon to encourage even cooking.

Step 5: Cook to Golden Perfection

Cook the fritters for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Flip them carefully with a spatula once the bottom side is nicely browned. The cooking time may vary slightly depending on the heat of your pan and the size of your fritters. Ensure they are cooked through and no longer doughy in the center.

Step 6: Drain Excess Oil

Remove the cooked fritters from the skillet and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil. This step is important for achieving crispy, non-greasy fritters. Pat them gently with paper towels if needed to remove any surface oil.

Step 7: Prepare the Cilantro-Lime Crema

While the fritters are cooling slightly, prepare the cilantro-lime crema. In a small bowl, whisk together the sour cream or Greek yogurt, fresh lime juice, chopped fresh cilantro, and salt to taste. Mix until well combined and creamy. Adjust the lime juice and salt to your preference. Taste and add more lime or salt as needed to achieve the desired balance of flavors.

Step 8: Assemble the Fritter Stacks

Now for the fun part – assembling your Zucchini Corn Fritter Stacks! Take one fritter and place it on a plate. Top with a slice of avocado, a slice of tomato, and a generous dollop of cilantro-lime crema. Repeat the layers, stacking 2-3 fritters high, depending on your preference and the size of your fritters. You can create individual stacks or a larger, more impressive stack to share.

Step 9: Garnish and Serve

Garnish your Zucchini Corn Fritter Stacks with extra fresh cilantro, a sprinkle of smoked paprika, or a drizzle of olive oil for an extra touch of flavor and visual appeal. Serve immediately and enjoy the explosion of summer flavors! These are best enjoyed fresh while the fritters are still crispy.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 400
Fiber: 7
Protein: 10