Pumpkin Zeppole Fritters Food

PUMPKIN ZEPPOLE ~ FRITTERS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt together.
• In another bowl, whisk the eggs, pumpkin, milk, and melted butter until blended.
• Add to the dry ingredients and mix until all ingredients are blended. Do not over mix.
• In a deep skillet or deep fryer, heat your oil until water sizzles when splashed into the oil.
• Drop the batter by using an ice cream scoop, a few at a time.
• Fry 1 1/2-2 minutes per side until golden brown.
• Drain on paper towels, dust with powdered sugar.
• Serve warm & Enjoy!.

ZEPPOLE, ITALIAN RICOTTA DOUGHNUTS

Steps:

• In a Medium sized bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, salt and the 3 tablespoons of sugar and then set aside.
• In a stand mixer or a hand held mixer, beat together the eggs and the ricotta cheese just until fairly smooth.
• Stir the flour mixture into the ricotta mixture until thoroughly combined.
• In a large heavy pot or a dutch oven, pour in enough oil to reach 2 inches high and heat to 375*. A candy thermometer comes in handy in order to get the right temperature and ensuring the oil does not drop under 350*, while you are frying between batches.
• If the oil is not hot enough the doughnuts will be too soggy and if it is too hot then the outside will darken quickly leaving the inside under cooked.
• Use a 1 1/2 inch scoop or 2 small spoons to drop bits of dough into the hot oil.
• Fry the zeppole for about 2 to 3 minutes, turning often until they are puffed, fluffy and golden brown.
• Larger sized doughnuts will need extra time. Use a slotted spoon to remove the zeppole from the pan and drain them on paper towels. Repeat until you have used up all the batter.
• Dust with icing or powdered sugar and serve while still warm.

PUMPKIN RICOTTA ZEPPOLE

Steps:

• Sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt.
• In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer to beat together the ricotta cheese and the eggs just until fairly smooth.
• Add the pumpkin purée and vanilla extract to the ricotta mixture and mix till well combined.
• Stir the flour mixture into the ricotta mixture until thoroughly combined.
• In a large heavy pot or a dutch oven, pour in enough oil to reach 2 inches high and heat to 375*. (A candy thermometer comes in handy)
• Avoid having the oil drop below 350 degrees F as this will render a soggy doughnut. And you'll also want to avoid the oil exceeding 375 degrees F. as too high of a temperature will quickly darken the doughnut while leaving the inside under cooked.
• Use a 1 1/2 inch scoop or 2 small spoons to drop bits of dough into the hot oil.
• Fry the zeppole for about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, turning often until they are puffy, fluffy and golden brown. You'll need extra time for larger sized doughnuts.
• Use a slotted spoon to remove the zeppole from the pot and transfer them to a tray lined with paper towels.
• Repeat until you have used up the remaining batter.
• When done roll the zeppole in the cinnamon sugar, turning to coat all over and serve while still warm.

CARIBBEAN PUMPKIN FRITTERS

Steps:

• Mix together pumpkin, sugar, flour, nutmeg, salt, baking powder and egg. Mix well.
• Heat shallow amount of oil in a frying pan.
• Drop mixture by tablespoon-full into hot oil and fry over medium-low heat until golden brown on each side.
• Remove from pan and drain on paper towel.
• Dust with Confectioner's Sugar for a sweeter dish!

PUMPKIN AND LENTIL FRITTERS

Steps:

• Cook the pumpkin in a large pot of boiling water for 10-15 minutes, until tender, drain well, return to the pot and mash the pumpkin thoroughly.
• Remove the outer leaves from the leek, wash all the leaves thoroughly, pat with a paper towel to remove excess water and finely chop.
• Peel garlic cloves, crush and finely chop.
• Thoroughly drain the lentils.
• Finely chop the tarragon.
• Heat one tablespoon of olive oil over a medium heat, in a sauté pan, and sauté the finely chopped garlic and leek until tender.
• Transfer the garlic and leek to kitchen paper to drain excess oil.
• Mix the garlic and leek with the mashed pumpkin, lentils, flour, egg and tarragon until well combined.
• Heat one tablespoon of olive oil over a medium heat in the sauté pan.
• Add 1/4 cupfuls of the pumpkin/lentil batter to the pan and flatten with a spatula.
• Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, until cooked through and golden. You should get 8 fritters from the batter.
• Drain the fritters on kitchen paper and, if not needed immediately, keep them warm in a 120ºC oven.
• Serve the fritters with tzatziki or your favourite vegetable chutney and a salad.