Description
Drained zucchini garlic bites offer a crispy, savory snack that blends Mediterranean herbs with golden-brown perfection. Cheese-kissed and lighter than traditional fritters, you’ll crave these irresistible morsels as a quick appetizer or delightful side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded zucchini, drained well
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup (30 grams) grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
Binding and Flavor Ingredients:
- ⅓ cup (45 grams) breadcrumbs
- 1 clove garlic, grated fine
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried chives)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (or ½ teaspoon dried parsley)
- 1 teaspoon fresh basil, chopped (or ½ teaspoon dried basil)
- 1 teaspoon fresh oregano, chopped (or ½ teaspoon dried oregano)
Seasoning:
- A pinch of salt
- A pinch of pepper
Dipping Sauce:
- Tomato sauce
Instructions
- Transform freshly harvested zucchini into a crispy appetizer by thoroughly extracting excess liquid using a clean kitchen towel, ensuring a compact texture.
- Gently pulverize garlic cloves to release their aromatic essence, blending seamlessly with the zucchini mixture.
- Create a harmonious binding agent by whisking the egg until smooth and incorporating it with finely grated cheese, which will help maintain the structural integrity of the zucchini bites.
- Incorporate a medley of dried herbs and seasonings, carefully balancing salt and pepper to elevate the overall flavor profile.
- Integrate breadcrumbs to provide a delicate crunch and help absorb any remaining moisture from the vegetables.
- Meticulously craft uniform spherical morsels, rolling them between palms to achieve consistent size and compact density.
- Arrange the zucchini orbs on a lightly greased baking sheet, ensuring adequate spacing to promote even browning and crisp exterior.
- Roast in a preheated oven at 400˚F, monitoring closely as the bites transform into golden-brown delicacies with a tantalizing exterior crackle.
- Complement the warm bites with a vibrant tomato sauce for dipping, offering a complementary acidic counterpoint to the rich, herbaceous appetizer.
Notes
- Thoroughly drain zucchini to prevent soggy bites that won’t crisp up during baking.
- Use fresh herbs like parsley or basil for maximum flavor and aromatic enhancement.
- Choose fine breadcrumbs for a smoother, more cohesive texture in each bite.
- Ensure even sizing when shaping balls to guarantee consistent cooking and browning.
- Rotate baking sheet halfway through cooking for uniform golden coloration.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in oven to maintain crispness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 145
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg