These fritters (keftedes in Greek) are typically served as part of a mezedes, the array of snacks eaten at the start of a meal or at any time when drinking ouzo. Add some dolmades, spanakopita, Janni Kyritsis’ stuffed red capsicum (see video below), olives and tzatziki to create your own mezedes, or serve them as a starter with Greek yoghurt on the side. You need to remove as much moisture as possible from the grated zucchini. If you have someone to assist, I find this is best done wringing it in a tea towel, alternatively salt it well and drain in a sieve for 30 minutes or so, then squeeze it a handful at a time. The fritters should be crisp on the outside and soft and juicy inside, so fry them in plenty of hot oil and cook them in batches so that the temperature stays high. Kolokithokeftedes are just as delicious at room temperature as they are warm. Serve with ouzo or a glass of Greek varietal Assyrtiko, such as the delicious one made by Jim Barry in the Clare Valley.

Makes about 18

Ingredients
  • 1kg zucchinis, coarsely grated
  • 4 green onions, finely chopped
  • ½ cup chopped dill sprigs, plus extra for garnish
  • 2 tablespoons chopped mint leaves, plus extra for garnish
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
  • ½ cup self-raising flour
  • 200g Feta, crumbled
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • Salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Extra virgin olive oil, for shallow-frying
  • Lemon wedges, for serving
  • Natural yoghurt or Tzatziki, for serving
Method
  1. Wrap zucchini in a clean, dry tea towel and squeeze to remove as much liquid as possible.
  2. Place in a bowl with green onion, dill, mint, lemon zest, flour, Feta, egg, salt and pepper and use your hands to mix thoroughly.
  3. Cover the base of a frying pan generously with oil and heat over medium-high heat.
  4. Working in batches, 3 or 4 at a time, drop heaped tablespoonfuls of the mixture into the oil and cook for about 2-3 minutes each side, until golden and cooked through. Don’t overcrowd the pan and use 2 spatulas to flip them over as they are delicate. Drain on paper towel.
  5. Pile onto a platter, sprinkle with salt, garnish with mint and dill and serve with lemon wedges and yoghurt or Tzatziki on the side.

Share page on:

Janni's Stuffed Red Capsicum

Join Me Soon

What Other Cooks Say

Melisa (Beacon Hill, NSW)
Melisa (Beacon Hill, NSW)
Read More
We made the pot-sticker dumplings and bang bang chicken from the Chinese class the other night. Once again both exceeded our expectations. My husband keeps saying it’s better than going out to restaurants as the recipes and quality are amazing.
Glennis (Caringbah South, NSW)
Glennis (Caringbah South, NSW)
Read More
The whole Be Inspired experience has helped me love cooking again. I was sick of cooking the same old things - meal time is a lot brighter thanks to you Roberta.
Pam (Cammeray, NSW)
Pam (Cammeray, NSW)
Read More
Your recipes are something I always feel confident offering guests and also reasonable in the time to prepare. We often try your recommended wines and suppliers and enjoy your travel tales too!
Jen (Tamarama, NSW)
Jen (Tamarama, NSW)
Read More
Thank you for stocking our pantry with such authentic Ingredients and quality produce. We really like the flexibility of cooking over a couple of days and changing the order we cook the dishes in when we want to. And I love listening to the themed playlist while cooking.
Katrina (Arncliffe, NSW)
Katrina (Arncliffe, NSW)
Read More
I am absolutely loving Be Inspired! There are ingredients I have never worked with before so having the confidence to try something new is so much fun! The recipes are just amazing and the notes on what can be prep’d beforehand are a great help too. Thank you so much.
Deb (Belconnen, ACT)
Deb (Belconnen, ACT)
Read More
Awesome fun traveling through Emilia-Romagna experiencing first hand some of the produce I've worked with over the last couple of years cooking with Roberta's classes – the family are reaping the benefits now.
Judith (Woronora, NSW)
Judith (Woronora, NSW)
Read More
Food, wine and travel! Three of my favourite things! Be Inspired with Roberta has been a wonderful experience and given me more confidence in the kitchen. I have learnt so much, cooked things I never would have attempted without Roberta’s excellent videos, and used ingredients I have never tried before.
Sandra (Garran, ACT)
Sandra (Garran, ACT)
Read More
I'm a competent cook whose learned so much from Roberta's online cooking classes. The recipes are yummy and Roberta’s video guidance offers so many little tips to improve flavour and organise the flow of preparation. I enjoy her warmth, sense of humour, and ability to giggle at herself when she occasionally messes up.
Previous
Next
Subscribe To My Newsletter & Get A Free Online Italian Cooking Class (RRP $39)