Zucchini Fritters with Chipotle Cream or Zucchini Explosion Part II

Last year, when I was drowning in zucchini, I tried making zucchini fritters.  I wasn't overly impressed with them.  I tried my hand at them twice.  The second time I added a little grated potato for body.  It was a slight improvement, but not blog worthy.  I've been thinking about those fritters...and then it came to me.  While I was searching for different appetizers from my favorite bloggers, I came across cornmeal cakes on Annie's Eats.  Cornmeal, that's it!  Cornmeal would be the perfect ingredient to give my fritters enough body without being bland.  Annie's recipe inspired me to try again.  This time, in my humble opinion,  I came up with a blog worthy recipe.

 Zucchini Fritters with Chipotle Cream

Click here for printable recipe

Makes 2 dozen

For Fritters:

2 cups of grated zucchini (not packed)

1 large shallot, finely minced

1 cup cornmeal

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/2 cup water  (you may have to add 1/4 cup more depending on how wet your zucchini is)

1/2 cup of non-fat Greek yogurt  (get a good brand like Fage)

2 extra large eggs

1 cup grated cheddar, jack or pepper jack cheese (which ever you like)

Canola oil for cooking

Chipotle Cream

2 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce

1 cup non-fat Greek yogurt or 

2 green onions, sliced for garnish

a sprinkle of smoked paprika for garnish

First make the Chipotle Cream so the flavors can meld.

1. Chop 2 canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce.  When I open a can of chipotles, I use what I need, then pack the remaining peppers and sauce in snack size zip lock bags.  I usually pack 2 per bag and put all the little bags in a sandwich ziplock and pop them in the freezer.  A can usually lasts me all year.  When I need them I just take them out and chop away while they are frozen.  They chop and thaw 1, 2, 3.
2. Mix the chopped chipotles and sauce together with 1 cup of yogurt.  Set aside.

Fritters

1. Whisk cornmeal, baking powder and spices together in a bowl.
2. In another bowl, whisk the eggs, yogurt and 1/2 cup of water together until smooth.
3. Gently squeeze the grated zucchini, removing excess water and add it to the egg-yogurt mixture. Mix in the minced shallots.
4. Combine liquid ingredients with the dry ingredients.  Don't over mix.
5. Fold in the cheese.  
6. The batter should be like lumpy pancake batter.  If it is too thick add a little more water.  If it is too thin add cornmeal, 1 tablespoon at a time.  The grated zucchini is pretty wet, and may alter exact amounts of water or cornmeal.
7. In a large nonstick pan, heat 2 tablespoons of canola oil over a medium low heat.  Using a tablespoon, add one heaping spoonful of batter to the pan.  Spread mixture evenly using the back of the spoon.  Repeat, filling pan with fritters and cook over medium low heat.  Cook until brown about 4 minutes, then flip and cook the other side, about another 4 minutes.  You don't want these to brown too quickly or they will be raw inside, adjust heat accordingly.
8. Remove from pan and set fritters on a plate covered with paper toweling to absorb excess oil, keep warm.  Finish cooking the rest of the batter.  
9. Serve immediately, topped with a dollop of chipotle cream, sprinkled with smoked paprika and green onion.