Sweet Corn and Squash Fritters With Avocado Crema From 'Vibrant Food'

Updated March 18, 2019

20140701-vibrant-food-fritters-kimberly-hasselbrink.jpg — Photograph: Kimberley Hasselbrink

It's my opinion that fresh, sweet corn should be incorporated into pretty much every meal in the summertime. So as soon as I saw these bodaciously corn-y fritters in Kimberley Hasselbrink's new cookbook, Vibrant Food, I knew I'd be making and devouring them as soon as possible. Bound with just a little egg and flour, they make awesome use of abundant summer produce: tons of herbs, zucchini and yellow squash, green onions, a bit of jalapeño for gentle heat, and that fresh-off-the-cob corn.

It doesn't take much oil to fry them, either, making them some of the healthiest fritters I've ever had. Hasselbrink tops them with a tangy crema made with Greek yogurt and avocado, adding cooling creaminess and a dose of protein. Which is nice if, like me, you scarf down half the fritters and call it dinner.

Why I picked this recipe: Sweet corn. Fritters. Crema.

What worked: The flavor of these ingredients is simply terrific: herbaceous, bright, and savory, interjected with the candy-like pop of the kernels of corn. Plus, my picky toddler liked them. So, win.

What didn't: The fritters get very soft very quickly (what with all the moisture from the vegetables and herbs), so eat them quickly.

Suggested tweaks: It looks from the photograph like Hasselbrink may have used a ripened (red) jalapeño—it does add a nice spike of color, and I'll keep my eyes out for one the next time I make these. These don't take long to cook, but you may want to keep them warm in a low oven while frying the subsequent batches.

Recipe Details

Sweet Corn and Squash Fritters With Avocado Crema From 'Vibrant Food'

Prep 20 mins

Cook 30 mins

Total 50 mins

Serves 10 fritters

Ingredients

2 small ears corn, preferably white, husks and silk removed
1/2 cup grated zucchini
1/2 cup grated yellow squash (any summer squash will work here)
1/2 to 1 small jalapeño, seeded and minced
5 green onions, white and pale green parts only, thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1 large egg, beaten
1/4 to 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

For the Avocado Crema:

1 avocado, diced
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
Basil leaves, cut into thin ribbons (chiffonade)

Directions

Stand the ears of corn upright in a large bowl. Using a very sharp knife, slowly slice the kernels of corn from the cob and into the bowl. Add the zucchini, yellow squash, jalapeño, green onions, basil, cilantro, and salt. Add the egg and mix until evenly combined. Add 1/4 cup of flour, mixing again until combined. If your batter is on the wet side, continue adding flour in 1 tablespoon increments, using no more than 1/2 cup of flour. The consistency of the batter should be moist, but more vegetable than batter. Set aside to rest for about 10 minutes.
While the batter rests, make the crema by combining the avocado, yogurt, lime juice, and salt in a bowl. Blend with an immersion blender or in a food processor until creamy. Set aside.
In a large heavy skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Working in batches, measure a scant 1/4 cup of the batter for each fritter and drop it into the pan, lightly pressing with a spatula. Cook 3 to 4 fritters at a time, undisturbed, for 4 to 5 minutes, until the edges are lightly browned. Flip and cook the other side for about 4 minutes more. Place the fritters on a paper towel–lined plate. Repeat with the remaining batter, adding another tablespoon of oil to the pan at the start of each batch.
Serve the fritters warm, topped with the crema and basil.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
120	Calories
7g	Fat
12g	Carbs
4g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 10
Amount per serving
Calories	120
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 7g	9%
Saturated Fat 1g	5%
Cholesterol 19mg	6%
Sodium 354mg	15%
Total Carbohydrate 12g	5%
Dietary Fiber 2g	9%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 16mg	79%
Calcium 35mg	3%
Iron 1mg	4%
Potassium 270mg	6%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.