Zucchini Flower Fritter

Ingredients

• 10 large zucchini flowers, stems removed
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup sparkling water, cold
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Vegetable oil for frying

Directions

1. Gently rinse zucchini flowers with cold water. Pat them dry using paper towels or a clean kitchen towel.
2. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until well combined. Add the cold sparkling water, olive oil, and whisk into a smooth batter.
3. In a large frying pan, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat (350°F/180°C). Dip each zucchini flower into the batter, coating it evenly. Shake off any excess batter and carefully place the battered flowers into the hot oil. Fry for 1-2 minutes each side until golden brown. Drain the fritters on paper towels to remove any excess oil.
4. Serve the zucchini flower fritters immediately with your desired dipping sauce. The most popular dipping sauce for these fritters is garlic aioli or a lemon herb yogurt sauce. Enjoy!

Verdict

These zucchini flower fritters are incredibly delicious, light, and crisp. The airy batter allows the flavor of the flowers to shine through perfectly. They are perfect to serve as an appetizer or a side dish to any meal.

Serving Suggestions

• Add freshly grated Parmesan cheese to the batter for more depth of flavor.
• Use different dipping sauces such as pesto or sweet chili sauce for some variety.
• For a vegan version, substitute the all-purpose flour for chickpea flour, and use plain vegan yogurt or vegan mayonnaise for the dipping sauce.