These tasty bites are from the Greek Island of Alonnisos. They are so versatile - one of those recipes you can have for breakfast, lunch, dinner OR serve as appetisers at a party! I like to make them in the oven and shape them into tater-tot (potato gem) shapes. But you can cook them on the stove too, and as for shape, you're only limited by your imagination!! This makes around 35 to 40 tots.
3/4cupscallions/shallots, finely sliced (white and pale green parts only)
2garlic cloves, minced
1cuppanko breadcrumbs
2eggs, lightly beaten
150 g / 5 oz feta cheese, crumbled
1/2cupparmesan cheese(or shredded cheddar or tasty cheese)
1tbspdried oregano
1/2cupplain flour
Oil spray
Minted Yoghurt (optional)
1cupplain Greek yoghurt
1/2tbsplemon juice
1/2tbspextra virgin olive oil(or more)
2tspfresh mint, finely chopped
Salt and pepper
Instructions
Preheat oven to 180C/350F.
Grate the zucchini and place into a large colander. Sprinkle with 1/4 tsp salt, toss with your fingers and leave to sweat for 30 minutes.
Working a handful at a time, squeeze out the excess water (as much as you can) and place the zucchini in a bowl.
Add the Batter ingredients (except oil spray) and mix to combine.
Spray 2 baking trays with oil. Dollop heaped tablespoons onto the trays, then use your fingers to shape them into cylinder "tater-tot / potato gem" shapes.
Spray with oil. Bake for 25 minutes, swapping the trays at around 20 minutes, or until golden brown and a crunchy crust forms on the surface.
Serve with lemon wedges and Tzatziki, if using.
Minted Yoghurt
Mix together ingredients and set aside for at least 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
1. These reheat well in the oven. Place them on a baking tray and reheat in a hot oven around 400CF/200C.2. To serve these as a breakfast or brunch, top with a sunny side up egg!3. You can pan fry these instead of baking them. Just shallow fry on medium high heat until golden on both sides. I suggest making them in fritter shapes to make it easier to cook evenly.4. These reheat very well! Just pop them in the oven for about 7 minutes at 180C/350F.5. Adapted from The Food and Cooking of Greece cookbook, Courgette / Zucchini Rissoles from Alonnisos.6. Nutrition per tot. Ridiculously low so we can eat LOTS! :)