Dom
Culinary Explorer
Kids will surely have a healthy snack with this! Here's how
Ingredients:
- 1 cup grated zucchini
- 1 cup grated carrot
- 1/2 cup finely chopped bell pepper (any color)
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/2 cup finely chopped spinach or kale
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika or cayenne pepper (optional for a bit of heat)
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/4 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
- Olive oil or vegetable oil for frying
Instructions:
- Prepare the Vegetables:
- Place the grated zucchini in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and squeeze out as much moisture as possible. This step is crucial to prevent soggy pancakes.
- Mix the Batter:
- In a large bowl, combine the grated zucchini, grated carrot, chopped bell pepper, chopped onion, chopped spinach or kale, and minced garlic.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, Parmesan cheese (if using), baking powder, salt, black pepper, and paprika or cayenne pepper.
- Add the dry ingredients to the vegetable mixture and toss to combine.
- Stir in the beaten eggs and milk until the mixture is well combined. The batter should be thick but not dry; add a little more milk if needed.
- Cook the Pancakes:
- Heat a tablespoon of olive oil or vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Scoop about 1/4 cup of the batter for each pancake into the skillet, flattening them slightly with the back of a spoon to form a pancake shape.
- Cook the pancakes for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Adjust the heat as needed to prevent burning.
- Serve:
- Transfer the cooked pancakes to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil.
- Serve warm with your favorite toppings, such as sour cream, Greek yogurt, salsa, or a simple squeeze of lemon juice.
Tips:
- These veggie pancakes are versatile; you can add other vegetables like corn, peas, or grated sweet potato.
- For added protein, you can mix in some crumbled feta cheese or cooked quinoa into the batter.
- To make them gluten-free, substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend or chickpea flour.