Eggplant Fritters Melitzanokeftedes Food

EGGPLANT FRITTERS - MELITZANOKEFTEDES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F
• Cut the eggplants in half, then score the flesh deeply in a diamond cross-hatch pattern with two or three long cuts, rotating the eggplant to make another set of cuts. Brush a little olive oil on the flesh and season with sea salt and freshly ground pepper.
• Place eggplant halves flesh side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake in the oven for about 30 minutes.
• Scoop out the flesh and add it to a large bowl. Add 2 cups breadcrumbs, 2 garlic cloves minced, two eggs, the chopped herbs, and one cup crumbled feta cheese. Mix well.
• Heat 3-4 tablespoons of light olive oil in a medium skillet.
• Take a heaped tablespoon of the mixture and add it to the hot oil. Tidy up the fritter shape a little bit with the spoon. Add two more fritters, don't overcrowd the pan. Fry for 2-3 minutes. Carefully, turn fritters midway for a golden brown color all over.
• Place fritters on paper towels to absorb most of the oil. Serve fritters with a yogurt-based sauce, marinara, or whipped feta cheese.

EGGPLANT FRITTERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Cut eggplant in half; place on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Place in oven; cook until tender, about 40 minutes. Remove from oven; when cool enough to handle, scoop flesh into a strainer to drain. Transfer drained eggplant to a bowl; add garlic, parsley, bread crumbs, Parmesan, egg, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper; stir to combine. Form mixture into 2-inch patties.
• Heat canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add patties, and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels. Place frisee on serving platter; drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Top with fritters.

EGGPLANT FRITTERS

Steps:

• Place eggplant slices in a colander and sprinkle lightly with salt. Set aside.
• Combine almond meal, Parmesan cheese, and sesame seeds in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Place beaten eggs in another bowl. Gently pat eggplant slices dry and dip first in eggs, shaking off excess, and then into almond meal mixture. Place breaded eggplant on a plate near the cooking area.
• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F (95 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add eggplant slices to the hot skillet and cook in batches, turning occasionally until golden on both sides, about 5 minutes per batch. Place cooked eggplant on the prepared baking sheet and keep warm in the preheated oven.

MELITZANOKEFTEDES (ROASTED EGGPLANT FRITTERS WITH TZATZIKI)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375F (190C).
• Pierce eggplant in several places with tines of fork, place on a baking sheet and bake until soft, turning once, about 1 hour.
• Cool slightly.
• Peel, remove seeds and chop pulp coarsely.
• Place in large bowl (may be prepared up to 1 day ahead) Mix flour and baking powder into eggplant.
• Add remaining ingredients, season to taste.
• Combine well.
• Heat ¼ inch light olive oil (or vegetable oil - but olive oil is tastier) in large skillet over medium heat until hot.
• Drop in eggplant mixture by rounded tablespoonfuls.
• Cook fritters until deep golden-brown, about 1 ½ minutes per side.
• Transfer to paper towels to drain.
• Repeat using up all of eggplant.
• Serve immediately with tzatziki.

EGGPLANT FRITTERS

Steps:

• Place shredded eggplant on a paper towel and lightly sprinkle with salt and let sit for 15 minutes.
• Use another paper towel to press down on it to remove excess moisture.
• Saute eggplant for 2-3 minutes in margarine, and allow to cool.
• Place eggplant in a bowl and mix with feta, green onions, dill, parsley, eggs, flour salt & pepper.
• In deep frying pan fill with oil about 1/4" deep.
• Form small patties and fry until golden brown.
• Drain on paper towels.
• Enjoy.