Zucchini & chickpea flour fritters

We currently have a glut of zucchini.

I have sautéed zucchini, barbecued zucchini, made zucchini brownies (meh), experimented with zucchini cookies (yes!) and now I'm finally onto zucchini fritters. 

I have made zucchini pancakes or fritters with eggs and flour in the past, but I couldn't help thinking how good they would be in a chickpea flour batter. Channeling my recipe for pakoras, this is like a zucchini pakora pancake. 

These crispy, hearty, gluten-free pancakes truly deserve to be called a fritter. The summer squash-packed morsels are delicious made small for an appetizer size, or larger for lunch or dinner. Serve it up with plain yogurt spiked with salt and minced mint, raita or tzatziki. Or maybe tamarind chutney? Oh, the possibilities!

These are hearty, so something like a big salad or cut up vegetables would go well alongside.

Zucchini & chickpea flour fritters 

Easy

VEGAN

Chickpea flour goes by many aliases, but it is now easily available in most grocery, health food or ethnic stores. 

1 cup chickpea, garbanzo, gram or besan flour

1 tsp salt

½ tsp ground coriander

½ tsp garam masala

½ tsp turmeric

pinch cayenne pepper or black pepper

1 tbsp vegetable oil, melted butter or coconut oil

3/4 cup cold water

1 medium zucchini

additional cooking oil
for serving: plain yogurt, raita, tzatziki or tamarind chutney (for vegan)

1. In a bowl, combine chickpea flour, salt and spices into a large bowl. Make a well in the centre and add oil and water. Stir until well mixed. Let stand for a few minutes, while you grate the zucchini. 

2. Stir zucchini into batter. 
3. Heat a few tablespoons of cooking oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Spoon heaping tablespoons, or larger size, into pan. If desired, flatten slightly for even cooking. Cook for a few minutes on each side until crispy and golden. 

4. Drain pancakes on paper towel to absorb extra oil. Sprinkle with a touch of salt. 

5. Serve immediately with yogurt, raita or chutney. Refrigerate any leftovers and reheat in oven.