Greek Zucchini Balls – Kolokithokeftedes

June 10, 2024

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Greek Kolokithokeftedes (κολοκυθοκεφτέδες) – which interprets as zucchini balls or courgette balls – are a scrumptious mezze served in Tavernas in all places. These tremendous tasty little balls are scrumptious served with tzatziki sauce as a starter or shared appetizer. Simple to make in your air fryer on frying pan.

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Close up on a plate of Greek zucchini balls (fritters) served with a bowl of tzatziki

At any time when I attempt to write up the Greek recipes I grew up with and spend a lifetime having fun with I run up into naming points. Methods to describe kolokithokeftedes in English? Properly the phrase is made up of kolokithi (zucchini / courgette) and keftedes which suggests meatballs.

So I made a decision to name them Greek Zucchini Balls right here however they go by many different names like zucchini fritters (courgette fritters) or zucchini patties. No matter you determine to name them, they’re completely scrumptious and a good way to make use of up summer time zucchini.

Zucchini balls will be served a part of a mezze choice – small shared dishes which are served as starters or appetizers with ouzo or wine. However you may also eat them as a lightweight lunch with tzatziki and a Greek salad.

A mini meals processor (mini chopper) could be very helpful for making the breadcrumbs and blitzing the onion, feta and herbs. You may pan fry the zucchini balls or cook dinner them in an air fryer.

Zucchini (courgettes) – the primary components on this dish, therefore the title
Feta cheese
Purple onion
Egg to assist bind the zucchini balls
Breadcrumbs – recent breadcrumbs ideally. I used two brioche buns to make mine.
Herbs – recent mint and parsley are important!
Salt, pepper and garlic powder
Olive oil to fry

ingredients for Greek zucchini fritters with captions

HOW TO MAKE GREEK ZUCCHINI BALLS (KOLOKITHOKEFTEDES)

Full measurements and directions will be discovered on the printable recipe card on the backside of the web page. Please check out the steps and video earlier than making an attempt this recipe!

PREPARE THE ZUCCHINI

Line a bowl with a clear linen towel. Grate the zucchini utilizing a field grater, place on the towel and sprinkle with a little bit salt, this can assist draw the moisture out of the zucchini. Depart them to face for a couple of minutes whilst you prep the remaining components.

Place the bread cubes in a mini meals processor and blitz to make fantastic breadcrumbs. Switch these to a bowl. Place the onion, herbs and feta within the processor and pulse a number of instances.

Squeeze the towel tightly to empty the moisture from the zucchini. Do that a few instances – the much less moisture, the crunchier your fritters shall be.

Squeezing moisture out of grated zucchini

Place the zucchini right into a mixing bowl and add the contents of the meals processor, the breadcrumbs, egg, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Combine nicely and depart to face for a couple of minutes then type into small balls.

PAN FRY THE ZUCCHINI BALLS

Warmth olive oil in a frying pan over medium–excessive warmth. Add the zucchini balls, spaced aside, and fry for 2-3 minutes per facet or till properly golden – you will have to fry them in two batches. Take care when flipping them over as they are often fairly tender. Switch to plate lined with paper towels in order that extra oil will be absorbed.

AIR FRY

Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (400°F). Place a liner within the basket and mist with oil. Place the zucchini balls on the liner in order that they’re spaced aside to permit them to crisp up evenly. Mist with oil and air fry for 6-7 minutes.

Gently flip the zucchini balls over and air fry for an additional 6-7 minutes or till they’re golden and crisp. Relying on the dimensions of your air fryer it’s possible you’ll must cook dinner these in batches.

Zucchini balls cooked in an air fryer (collage showing partly cooked and fully cooked)

SERVE AND ENJOY!

Garnish your Kolokithokeftedes with finely chopped parsley and serve with tzatziki sauce on the facet. They’re scrumptious scorching or chilly!

RECIPE NOTES AND TIPS

STORING AND FREEZING: retailer leftovers within the fridge for a few days and reheat within the air fryer or eat chilly. You may as well freeze the cooked zucchini balls for as much as two months and pan or air fry them from frozen.

HOW TO AVOID SOGGY KOLOKITHOKEFTEDES: be sure you drain all of the moisture from the grated courgette first. That is the primary key to success! Ensure you don’t overcrowd them when pan frying and drain extra oil on paper towels earlier than serving.

close up on courgette fritters frying in a pan

AIR FRYER ZUCCHINI BALLS: air frying will create crispier and more healthy outcomes as you’ll be utilizing minimal oil. Ensure you crush the air fryer liner with the balls so it will possibly’t be pulled into the air circulating from the highest.