Zucchini Cakes Crab Cakes For The Poor Mans Budget Food

ZUCCHINI "CRAB" CAKES

Steps:

• In a large bowl, add zucchini, eggs, breadcrumbs, Old Bay, black pepper, mayonnaise and parsley. Mix until everything is evenly combined.
• Scoop out 1/3 cup (packed) of zucchini batter. Press the zucchini firmly into the cup. You want to make sure you really compact the zucchini batter so that the cakes don't fall apart. Flip the measuring cup upside down to release the zucchini cake onto a sheet of parchment paper. The zucchini should slide out still holding its form from the cup. Repeat with remaining zucchini batter.
• In a medium skillet, add oil and bring to medium high heat. Depending on the size of your pan you may need more oil. You need a little more than 1/4 inch of oil so that the oil reaches the halfway point on the zucchini cakes during cooking. Gently slide a few of the crab cakes into the hot oil and cook a few minutes on each side until they are golden and crispy on both sides. Place cooked crab cakes onto a paper towel to soak up some of the excess oil. Repeat until all crab cakes are cooked. Serve crab cakes while they are still warm, with tartar sauce and fresh lemon juice.

POOR MAN'S CRAB CAKES

Steps:

• Split and mash the potatoes in a mixing bowl; set aside. The potato skins may be left on if desired.
• Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat; cook and stir the bell pepper, onion, and celery in the melted butter until they begin to soften, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir the milk into the mixture; pour the mixture over the mashed potatoes and stir to combine. The consistency should not be too runny. Allow the mixture to cool completely.
• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Add the crabmeat, Cheddar cheese, and dill to the potato mixture; season with salt. Lightly mix. Pour the beaten eggs into the mixture and stir to combine. If the mixture is too thin, bread crumbs or flour can be added to make more firm. Form the mixture into 24 small patties.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat; cook the patties in small batches in the skillet until completely browned and crisp, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Do not flip until bottom is fully browned and crisp; this ensures the patties will not break. Transfer to a baking dish in the oven to keep hot until all are cooked. Serve hot.

ZUCCHINI CAKES "CRAB CAKES" FOR THE POOR MAN'S BUDGET

Steps:

• Spread grated zucchini on a kitchen towel and roll up. Twist towel to wring out as much liquid as possible. If you fail to do this, your cakes will be too wet.
• In a large bowl, combine zucchini and butter. Stir in bread crumbs, onion, Old Bay, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to combine.
• Coat your hands in oil, and shape mixture into patties. Coat each patty in flour. In skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat until hot. Fry patties until golden brown on both sides. (About 3-5 min per side).

ZUCCHINI CRAB CAKES WITH CREAM CHEESE

Steps:

• Grate zucchini and squeeze dry.
• Melt butter over medium heat and add onion and bell pepper. Cook for 5 - 10 minutes.
• Remove onion and bell pepper from heat and set aside.
• In a large bowl combine zucchini, cream cheese, Old bay seasoning, egg and bread crumbs.
• Mix in the onions and bell pepper including any butter from the pan.
• At this point if you feel your mix is too wet you can add a little more bread crumbs, do not add too much because it will reflect in the flavor of the cakes.
• Place the entire mixture in the refrigerator for a couple of hours if you have the time. This allows the mixture to bind and it makes it easier to handle the patties. If you do not have the time, do not worry, just coat your hands in flour when making the patties.
• Once you are ready to make the patties just grab a glob (1/3 C) shape into a ball, dredge in flour or bread crumbs (that is entirely up to you) and then fry in about an inch of oil, flattening them with your spatula, until golden brown.