Courgette Balls (kolokithokeftedes)

The courgette fries balls are popular appetizer dish that comes from the island of Crete. It is best when served with tzatziki sauce. Mix in some fresh dill some mint and feta cheese to capture the authentic flavor of the Greek cuisine.

Cooking time: 20 mins

Prep time: 1h 30 mins

Ingredients for 6 poeple

What do you need?

• 700 gr of zucchini washed

• 2 eggs

• 90-110 grams grams crumbled feta

• 1/2 onion finely chopped

• 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley

• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint

• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill

• 1 tablespoon dry oregano

• 1/2 cup flour + more for coating

• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

• Salt to taste

• Pepper to taste

• Olive oil or sunflower oil for frying

How to proceed?

1. Wash the zucchini and grate it on the grater.

2. Sprinkle zucchini with salt and let sit for at least thirty minutes and up to an hour.

3. Squeeze it with your hands to drain the liquids and put it in a bowl.

4. Add dills, onions, mint, parsley, oregano and crumbled feta cheese. Mix with a fork to combine.

5. Stir in eggs and season with salt and pepper.

6. Stir in flour little at a time, and mix until dough comes together and not too much wet (Be careful not to make the mixture too dry).

7. Leave to rest in refrigerator for 15 to 20 minutes.

8. Heat some olive oil on a deep frying pan.

9. Add the baking powder to the mixture. Using two spoons form a quenelle “courgette Balls” (you can use as well your hands to form the zucchini balls).

10. Heat the oil in a large deep skillet over medium high heat. Fry the “courgette Balls” until golden brown on both sides (2-3 minutes per side).

11. Drain on absorbent paper. Serve the hot Kolokithokeftedes immediately, accompanied with tzatziki dip.