Zucchini tots! A zucchini recipe that transforms zucchini into an addictive dish that charms everyone who tries it – these are 100% addictive!
These are like the Greek zucchini version of good ole’ Rissoles, Chicken Patties and Salmon Patties. But so much more exotic sounding by being able to say “these are GREEK!”
Greek Zucchini Tots
These are Courgette Rissoles from Alonnisos in Greece, a recipe I found in a book called The Food and Cooking of Greece that I stumbled across when I was browsing my local library for cookbooks.
Do you do that? Borrow cookbooks from your library? It’s an undiscovered secret. 🙂 You see, an obsession with cookbooks poses two problems – budget and space.
Great cookbooks are rather expensive! And how many cookbooks have you indulged in, only to find you only use a few recipes from it? And as for storage…my cookbooks are everywhere!
So when I rediscovered my local library, I was pretty thrilled to find that not only had it been completely renovated since I was last there (hmmm, perhaps 10 years ago, cramming for exams??!), but it has an incredibly extensive cookbook section. Every book I own, have ever wanted to own and so many more!!
The first time, I spent 3 hours in the library, browsing all the cookbooks, agonising over which 8 I should borrow. Yes, I borrowed 8! And I was able to keep them for 9 weeks just by renewing them with a click of a button on my iPhone, how cool is that?!
So these cute little Greek Zucchini Tots (aka Courgette Fritters / Rissoles – for the Brits reading this!) are from a cookbook I found at the library called The Food and Cooking of Greece. It’s filled with traditional Greek home-cooking recipes and I’ve made quite a few things from it already. I’ll share more – but right now, let’s kick off with these irresistible zucchini bites!
This is a zucchini recipe that transforms zucchini into an addictive dish that charms everyone who tries it!
If anyone can make zucchini sexy, it’s the Greeks. It is just about the blandest tasting vegetable there is. I actually love making salads out of zucchini ribbons, but you can’t taste very much zucchini itself. It’s all the dressing and extra flavours!
The traditional recipe is made by shallow frying them. But I found it took ages (because this makes 40 tots!!) so I tried baking them instead. And what do you know, it worked fabulously! A light spray of oil is all that is required to create a golden crunchy crust, and it stays deliciously moist on the inside. 🙂
These make a great party food because they reheat really well! Or you could make them bigger and have them with eggs for breakfast – or dinner! I would happily scoff these down for dinner any day! – Nagi x
More zucchini recipes
-
Healthy Cream of Vegetable Soup (Zucchinis are the secret ingredient for ultra low cal creamy white soup!)
-
Zucchini Tian (French Rice Bake)
More patties and fritters (I love them!)
-
Broccoli Chicken Fritters – made with chopped chicken
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Greek Zucchini Tots
Ingredients
Zucchini
- 1 lb / 500 g zucchinis
- 1/4 tsp salt
Batter
- 3/4 cup scallions/shallots , finely sliced (white and pale green parts only)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 eggs , lightly beaten
- 150 g / 5 oz feta cheese , crumbled
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese (or shredded cheddar or tasty cheese)
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1/2 cup plain flour
- Oil spray
Minted Yoghurt (optional)
- 1 cup plain Greek yoghurt
- 1/2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (or more)
- 2 tsp fresh 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.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
Hmmmm wondering how this would go using haloumi instead of feta! Ill keep you posted!
I made these tonight and included fresh dill instead of oregano, also made them a bit little bigger and cooked for probably 5-10 minutes more – absolutely delicious! All fresh ingredients were from the garden (zucchini, dill, shallots, and eggs from the chickens!) which made it even better!
These tots are just as delicious cold. Very mourish.
These are scrumptious! Thanks Nagi!
Hi Nagi love your recipes.
Question re Greek Zucchini Tots. Any reason they wouldn’t
work in mini muffin pans? I plan to make them for a nibble to have with drinks and thought that might be an easier option. Also want to reheat them which you say is fine. Thank you keep up the good work.
I think that would probably work Karin! N x
hi nagi di arnold here i love your recipes. my question to0 you is with fresh squid can i velvet it like we can with meat or chicken
Oh Nagi, superb as is the norm for you
I omitted the oregano & went with more tasty cheese, coz hubby is a “herb a phobic”
Fabulous … thank you (& Dozer)
To be honest Nagi, since I’ve discovered you, and your website, I go nowhere else! I do,love my collection of Rick Stein recipe books, but otherwise, you are my go to gal for everything!
Love you Nagi, and thank you. (And love the gorgeous Dozer too) xx
I love Rick Stein too Kate! I am a bit of a fangirl there! N x
These were amazing. My husband said incredulously “did you make these?” as if I don’t always make him delicious food from your recipes! I’ve grown some monster courgettes and this used up one so thanks for that 😊 ps I used gluten free breadcrumbs & flour and it worked perfectly.
Thanks to a current lockdown, I realised part way through making these that I didn’t have all of the ingredients, so I butchered them a little and they still turned out great! I can’t wait to make them the proper way in the future! I didn’t have feta, so I used cream cheese in the wrong quantity. I put in lots of tasty cheese instead of parmesan, and I didn’t use enough shallots They still looked like the picture and taste great. Next time I might follow the recipe properly but add mushrooms
Any idea how long to cook in a air fryer please?
I found these when searching for Greek sides, so easy and yummy, definitely will make them again.
These are great, and baking them is sooo much easier than frying. I leave the ones in the middle a bit “blonde” so I can reheat them as it makes lots
I don’t have spray oil so gently brushed them with olive oil. I made them with self raising flour once because I didn’t have plain flour and it made them fluffier and more baby friendly. I’ve also thrown other leftover vegies in there (spinach, mushroom).
Awesome! First time making any thing like this. Between my partner and myself there was no leftovers! Love all your recipes that I have tried so far.
This is excellent!!! I was out of eggs, so I substituted plain yogurt instead. Otherwise I made it exactly and it was wonderful!
That’s great to hear Melissa 🙌
Can’t wait to try this. Here’s a tip. Use a potato ricer to squeeze out excess water from zucchini, potatoes, and spinach. Works like a charm.,
Great idea Diane!!
These were delicious exactly as written! Nagi, I have made countless recipes from your site and without fail they are always fabulous. Thank you for sharing your amazing recipes with the world.
Much love,
Sarah from Langley, Canada.
Hi Nagi, I love your range of recipes! Do you know of a substitute for the panko breadcrumbs? Would almond meal work?
Hi Coco, you can use regular breadcrumbs, I haven’t tried with almond meal so can’t confirm if it will work – N x
These turned out so good! Thank you. Delicious and will be a regular on the weekly dinner list. Leftovers make the best little snacks!
Cooked these on the bbq last night (used a reusable cooking sheet but foil would probably work as well). Subbed grated mozzarella cheese for the feta (only because I had no feta) and added a bit of garlic in the sauce. They were fantastic! Ate a cold leftover one this morning and just as good. My new favourite veggie!