Zucchini Flower and Vegetable Fritters
 
Ingredients
  • Batter Recipe
  • ½ cup chickpea flour (you can use just chickpea flour but I find the rice flour adds a nice crispness to the fried batter)
  • ½ cup rice flour
  • ¼ tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp turmeric powder
  • ½ tsp cayenne powder
  • ¾ tsp salt
  • 1 cup water
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl stir together chickpea flour, rice flour, baking soda, turmeric and cayenne powders, and salt. Gradually pour water into the mixing bowl and whisk briefly to remove any lumps and the mixture is smooth. The batter should be the consistency of cream. If you feel it needs to be a bit looser start by adding one or two tablespoons of water until you achieve your desired consistency. (If the batter sits a bit (ie 20 minutes or so) you will most likely need to do this.
Fill a karhai, wok, or heavy bottomed saucepan (one with high sides, such as a pot you would use for boiling pasta) one third full with vegetable oil. Heat the oil over medium heat to 350F (180C). If you do not have a deep fry thermometer heat oil and test with a small cube of bread. If the bread cube lightly browns in 10 seconds the oil is ready to use.
Vegetables:
Zucchini flowers: Leave the steam in if possible as it is easier to dip into batter. Lightly brush off any dirt particles. Also look inside as bees love to gather nectar from the inside of the flowers.
Swiss Chard, Spinach or Beet Greens: Wash well in water and gently dry with kitchen towel. Leave a length of stem/rib as it is easier to dip into batter and then oil.
Eggplants: Slice ⅓ inch thick
Potatoes: Slice ¼ inch thick
Pumpkins: Peel and slice ¼ inch thick
Sweet Potato: Peel and slice ¼ inch thick
Pumpkin or squash: Peel and slice ¼ inch thick
Zucchini or Patty Pan: Peel and Slice ⅓ inch thick
Dip about 7-10 pieces of a single vegetable into the batter and carefully slide each individual piece into the hot oil. The vegetables should not be too crowded in the oil. Cook for about 3 minutes per side. Using a slotted spoon carefully turn over the vegetable pieces. Sometimes you can use the spoon to push the pieces under the oil, if need be.
When both sides are golden brown, use a slotted spoon or mesh strainer to remove the fried vegetable and drain on paper towels.
Repeat with the rest of the vegetables, cooking each vegetable separately. Serve hot with [url:1]green chutney[/url] or [url:1]tamarind chutney.[/url]
Notes
Cook the zucchini flowers or swiss chard last as they cook more quickly (in about a minute). Also, it is important to coat the zucchini flowers or swiss chard leaves with enough batter for them to be crispy rather than oily.
Recipe by at https://aglobalkitchen.com/2013/08/12/zucchini-flower-and-vegetable-fritters/