It’s a new year and we’re all trying to make healthier choices.  For many, that means including more vegetables in our diet.  Today’s recipe does just that!  These Zaatar Butternut Squash Fritters are a twist on the classic potato latke.  We’ve swapped out the potatoes for the often overlooked, but very versatile butternut squash.  In case you didn’t know it, butternut squash is a nutritional powerhouse!  It’s high in fiber, potassium, and antioxidants.  It boasts over four times the daily recommended amount of vitamin A and half the recommended amount of vitamin C.  In addition, it’s been shown to help boost the immune system (perfect during cold & flu season) and reduce inflammation. 

To bring out the slightly sweet, nutty flavor of the butternut squash, we chose to season these fritters with zaatar.  Zaatar, a staple in Middle-Eastern kitchens, is a combination of the zaatar herb (wild thyme) ground sumac (tangy, tart, citrusy), and roasted sesame seeds (crunchy and delicately nutty).  Never cooked with zaatar before?  You’ll love the intense, exotic flair it adds to the earthiness of the butternut squash in this recipe.  When choosing a zaatar blend, it’s very important to go with one that uses only the ingredients listed above.  Anything that contains artificial ingredients or fillers is not true zaatar. 

So, the next time you’re at the grocery store, pick up that butternut squash that you’ve always been intimidated by and give these fritters a try!  The hardest part is figuring out what to top them with!   We’ve listed a few of our favorite combinations, but let us know how you love to serve them! 

 

Zaatar Butternut Squash Fritters

Prep Time: 10 mins, Cook Time: 15 mins, Total Time:  35 mins
Servings: 6
Serving Size: 2 fritters            
Calories: 215, Fat: 11g, Protein: 5g, Carbs: 26g, Fiber: 3g
*Nutritional info is for 2 fritters without toppings.

 

Ingredients
6 cups shredded butternut squash
2/3 cup flour (white or whole wheat both work great)
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 ½ tablespoons zaatar
vegetable oil for frying

 

Topping Suggestions:
Sour cream + parsley or chives
Applesauce
Crumbled feta + zaatar 
Goat cheese + zaatar + drizzle of honey
Crème fraiche + smoked salmon + caviar
Turn them into breakfast by adding a poached egg!
 

 

Instructions

1. To shred the butternut squash, begin by carefully peeling the squash with a sharp knife.
2. Cut the squash in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds, then cut into large chunks.
3. Grate the squash on a box grater or in a food processor affixed with the shredder attachment.
4. Measure out 6 cups of the shredded squash and place in a large bowl.
5. Stir in the flour, eggs, and zaatar and mix until well combined.
6. Heat about ½ inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
7. Once the oil is hot, drop the squash mixture into the oil in ¼ cup increments (working in batches of 3-4 fritters at a time).
8. Lightly press to form a patty and fry for 3-4 minutes, until golden brown. Carefully flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes on the opposite side.
9. Remove the fritters from the oil and place on a paper towel lines baking sheet.
10. Keep warm in a 200°F oven until all of the fritters have been cooked.
11. Finish them off with your choice of toppings. We’ve listed some suggestions above, but the possibilities are endless!  (They’re also mighty delicious on their own.)