RICOTTA & ZUCCHINI FRITTERS “CACIO E PEPE”

We created this fritter/donut batter at the Harbord Room basically on day one, and its first use was for our Orange & Ricotta Dumplings, which quickly became one of our iconic desserts. The batter itself is super versatile, and here we’re using it in a savory fritter preparation that yields a pillowy, melt-in- your-mouth interior and a crisp shell. These make a great canapé, and if you want to whip up a quick dipping sauce—although I don’t think they need it—you could mix some mayonnaise with whatever hot sauce you have in the fridge and stir in a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. – Dad in the Kitchen: Over 100 Delicious Family Recipes You’ll Love to Make and They’ll Love to Eat, Cory Vitiello and Chris Johns, Appetite by Random House

Follow Chris on IG / X

Follow Cory on IG / X

Print Pin

RICOTTA & ZUCCHINI FRITTERS “CACIO E PEPE”

Course Appetizer

Servings 6 servings

Author Cory Vitiello and Chris Johns, authors of Dad in the Kitchen: Over 100 Delicious Family Recipes You’ll Love to Make and They’ll Love to Eat

Ingredients

• 1 large zucchini
• 1½ tsp kosher salt divided 2 cups ricotta
• Zest of 1 lemon
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp sugar
• ½ tsp black pepper + extra for garnish
• 2 eggs + 1 yolk Neutral oil for frying
• ½ cup finely grated pecorino

Instructions

• In a medium bowl, grate the zucchini—you should wind up with about 2 cups. Add 1 tsp salt, toss to coat, and leave to sit for 30 minutes. Press the zucchini through a sieve to drain the liquid and set the zucchini aside.
• With a stand mixer or in a bowl with a hand mixer or whisk, bring together the ricotta, lemon zest, flour, baking powder, sugar, remaining ½ tsp salt, pepper, and zucchini until smooth. With the mixer running, add the eggs and egg yolk one at a time, waiting until fully incorporated before adding the next.
• In a heavy-bottomed pot, heat the frying oil to 350°F. Using two tablespoons, scoop the mixture into the hot oil. Fry the fritters until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. You will need to do this in batches and make sure to let the oil come back up to temperature between batches.
• Once fried, set the fritters aside on paper towel to drain before gently and generously tossing them in the grated pecorino and fresh pepper. Serve immediately either on their own or with some fresh lemon wedges and a spicy aioli on the side.

Notes

Excerpted from Dad in the Kitchen: Over 100 Delicious Family Recipes You’ll Love to Make and They’ll Love to Eat by Cory Vitiello and Chris Johns. Copyright © 2023 Cory Vitiello and Chris Johns. Photographs by Paula Wilson. Published by Appetite by Random House®, a division of Penguin Random House Canada Limited. Reproduced by arrangement with the Publisher. All rights reserved.

Sharing is caring!