Zucchini Fritters

Zucchini fritters is a popular dish in Greece during the summer months. I have made this recipe quite often. Not only during the summer but in the fall and spring as long as I can find zucchinis at the fresh market or the super market. They are great as a snack or just for lunch with a side salad. Easy to make and you don’t need to fry them like they are usually made. I bake them in the oven and they turn out well if not better.

2 cups shredded zucchini
1/4 cup shredded onion
1 egg
3/4 cup feta
1/2 cup bread crumbs
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
2 tbsp. chopped fresh dill
2 tbsp olive oil

Wash and shred the zucchini. Place it in cloth towel or cheese cloth and squeeze the excess water as much as you can. Do the same with the shredded onion.

In a bowl combine the shredded zucchini, feta, onions, parsley, egg, breadcrumbs and dill. Shape them into rounds and place them in an oil coated cookie sheet.

Bake them in a preheated 400° oven for 45 minutes turning once.

Nutrition Facts (Makes 15 servings)
Serving Size 1 serving (33.9 g)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 59
Calories from Fat 36
Total Fat 4.0g
Saturated Fat 1.5g
Cholesterol 18mg
Sodium 117mg
Potassium 74mg
Total Carbohydrates 3.9g
Dietary Fiber 0.5g
Sugars 0.9g
Protein 2.2g

Farro with butternut squash

1 cup farro
2 cups butternut squash cubed
1 cup celery diced
½ cup red onion diced
1 tsp crushed garlic
½ cup olive oil
½ cup parsley chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

Cook the farro according to package directions (1 cup farro to 2.5 cups of water. Bring to a boil and then lower the heat and cook – about 15-20 minutes till all the water is absorbed. Fluff up with a fork).

In a saucepan sauté the onions, celery, garlic, butternut squash. Season with salt and pepper. Pour about ½ cup of water and let it simmer till the vegetables are cooked. Toss with farro, season with salt and pepper and serve.

Nutrition Facts
Servings 6.0
Amount Per Serving
calories 221
Total Fat 18 g
Saturated Fat 3 g
Monounsaturated Fat 13 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 3 g
Trans Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 64 mg
Potassium 151 mg
Total Carbohydrate 11 g
Dietary Fiber 2 g
Sugars 1 g
Protein 2 g

Italian cut Green Beans in tomato sauce

Don't be confused by the name "Italian cut." This type of bean is very common in Greece. You will most likely find these in Greece, rather than the string green beans. 

Since Lent has begun for both the Catholic and the Orthodox Church, it is common for believers to give up certain foods this time of the year. Greek Orthodox though have a more strict Lent practice than Catholics. Catholics can have fish on Friday where Greek Orthodox on the other hand, has a stricter fast. During Lent, fish, meat, poultry, and even dairy are not permitted (unless someone has specific diet needs and is instructed by his/her doctor. In that situation the priest forgives or rather allows the individual to eat what his diet needs are).

Every year, while I was growing up, I watched my mother follow a very ascetic fast for 40 days prior to our Greek Orthodox Easter. She tried to make dishes that were rich in flavor but without the meat. The green beans in tomato sauce are very rich in flavor. The use of flat leaf parsley gives it a savory and aromatic taste without the bitterness the curly leaf parsley has. The flat leaf is very common in Greece, whereas the curly leaf is not quite popular there.

You can find flat leaf parsley in any supermarket or fresh produce market. It is usually called Italian flat leaf parsley. This dish is great if you want to abstain from meat one day a week; for those who want to give up meat products for Lent, and for strict vegetarians. Serve it along with some fresh crusty Italian bread and you have yourself a healthy meal.

Italian cut green beans in tomato sauce             

Six (6) servings

½ cup olive oil

½ cup diced onion (1 medium sized onion)

2 tsp chopped garlic (about 2 cloves)

2 12oz bags frozen Italian cut green beans

1 15oz can diced tomatoes

1 15oz can tomato sauce

1 15oz can water

½ cup chopped parsley

½ tsp salt

½ tsp ground pepper

In a Dutch oven sauté the onion and garlic in olive oil till transparent.  Add the frozen green beans along with the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce.  Add the one can of water.  Add the chopped parsley, salt and pepper.  Stir all the ingredients together.  Let it come to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally.  Simmer for 45 minutes to one (1) hour until the beans are tender.  Serve warm. 

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size                                         12.007oz(340.4g)

Amount Per Serving

Calories                                                            224

Calories from Fat                                  166                  % Daily Value^*

Total Fat                                               18.4g                           28%

Saturated Fat                                       2.6g                             13%

Cholesterol                                           0mg                             0%

Sodium                                                 580mg                         24%

Total Carbohydrates                             14.7g                           5%

Dietary Fiber                                         5.5g                             22%

Sugars                                                 6.6g

Protein                                                 3.6g