Summer squash fritters

These are the extra crunchy kind, with only the center soft. They are not low calorie, they are not low carbohydrate, they do not use up vast quantities of squashes. They are tasty.

Ivano had brought me zucchine from his orto yesterday, so I made these, photographed them then delivered all but one to Ivano.

Crunchy squash fritters

This recipe uses one squash and makes 6 fritters

• 1 medium summer squash– zucchine, crookneck
• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 cup corn starch
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 clove garlic, finely minced
• 1/8 teaspoon cayenne or peperoncino in polvere

• olive oil: about 1/4″ (1 cm) deep for frying ( I think it is important that this be olive oil for the flavor it imparts.)

Shred the squash. I used my mandoline, but you can use anything that makes a nice, small and even shred. Sprinkle the nutmeg over it.

In a bowl, put the dry ingredients. Add enough water to make a batter about the consistency of cream. Start with 4 ounces or 125 ml. Stir it in very well to get rid of any lumps. Add the garlic and stir it in. Add the squash and toss it well. Restir this any time it has been sitting around, because the cornstarch likes to migrate to the bottom of the bowl.

Heat the oil until really hot, 350+° F if you’ve a thermometer. Using a soupspoon or tablespoon, drop the squash and batter into the hot fat. Let brown on one side then turn and brown the other side. I cooked only 2-3 at a time in a small pan to avoid the oil cooling too much when the batter is dropped in. Remove the fritters to papertowels to drain.

Serve these hot with a light meal or as a nice antipasto.[ad]

Olga’s nephew has been badly injured and is in hospital with her sister all the time right now, so cookery is not really happening there. The accident that happened to this talented jewelry designer was bizarre. His friend’s dog came toward him on the street and he was afraid of it for some reason. He backed himself right over a guard fence and fell into a deep archeological dig. The friend came along behind his dog and called the emergency services, but the injury was very severe and he is not recovering.