Name: Chayote Squash Fritters
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: Asian, Filipino
Ingredients: 2 chayotes (chopped and peeled); 2 carrot stalks (slivered); 1 medium white onion (slivered); 2 stalks green onions (chopped); 1 16 oz bag thai rice flour; 1 oz annatto powder; 2 tbsp water (to dilute); 1 tsp salt; ½ tsp black pepper; Canola or Corn Oil (for deep frying)

Bursting with vibrant flavors and crispy textures, these fritters are a fantastic way to elevate your snack game. These golden fried Chayote Squash Fritters will be your next crunchy snack of choice.

Step into my kitchen and discover the world of my Chayote Squash Fritters! If you’re hunting for a recipe that’s both delicious and nutritious, you’ve come to the right place. My Momzy and I decided to use chayotes instead of the usual yams she makes.

Chayote squash, despite its name containing “squash,” is technically a fruit botanically speaking. It belongs to the gourd family, which includes other fruits such as cucumbers, pumpkins, and melons. It is usually prepared and eaten as a vegetable in culinary contexts due to its mild flavor and versatile uses in savory dishes. So while it’s classified as a fruit, it’s often treated as a vegetable in cooking.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE BOMB THESE FRITTERS

But what makes chayote squash so special? Not only is it low in calories and rich in essential nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, but it also boasts a myriad of health benefits. Incorporating chayote squash into your diet can aid in digestion, promote hydration, and support overall health and well-being. Its versatile nature allows it to blend into various dishes, adding a refreshing crunch and subtle sweetness.

Now, imagine taking all the goodness of chayote squash and transforming it into crispy, golden fritters. These fritters not only offer a satisfying crunch with each bite but also provide a wholesome snack option.

If you need another crunch to munch, you’ll also love my Chayote Squash Fries or my Spaghetti Squash Fritters. They’re both addicting too!

THE BREAKDOWN

CHAYOTES – Make sure you peel it first. Then chop them into long slices.
CARROTS
WHITE ONION
GREEN ONIONS
THAI RICE FLOUR – Use the bag with the red print. NOT THE GLUTINOUS RICE FLOUR with the green print.
ANNATTO POWDER – Adds color to the fritter.
WATER – To Dilute the mixture.
SALT & PEPPER
CANOLA OR CORN OIL – For deep frying.

HOW TO MAKE CHAYOTE SQUASH FRITTERS

Combine chopped chayotes, slivered carrot, and onion in a bowl.
Add chopped green onions to the mixture.
In a separate bowl, mix rice flour with annatto powder.
Dilute annatto mixture with water until smooth.
Pour the annatto mixture into the vegetable bowl and mix until well-coated.
Season with 1 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp of pepper.
Heat oil in a deep frying pan.
Drop spoonfuls of the mixture into the hot oil and fry until golden brown.
Remove fritters and drain excess oil on paper towels.
Serve hot and enjoy!

WHAT TO PAIR THESE FRITTERS WITH

I love eating them with rice and vinegar sauce on the side. Sometimes, I just eat them plain cause fried foods are just too addicting.

SUBSTITUTIONS FOR THE INGREDIENTS

Rice Flour: If you don’t have rice flour on hand, you can use all-purpose flour or cornmeal instead. Adjust the quantity as needed to achieve the desired consistency of the batter.

Annatto Powder: Annatto powder adds color to the fritters. If you don’t have it, you don’t have to use it. You can use paprika or turmeric for the golden color.

HERE ARE SOME IDEAS TO TRY

Feel free to mix and match these ideas or come up with your own creative twists. Let me know what you do!

Baked Fritters: Instead of deep-frying, try baking the fritters in the oven for a healthier alternative. Simply place spoonfuls of the batter on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and crispy.

Spicy Fritters: Add chopped jalapeños, green chilies, or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the batter for a spicy twist. You know I love ’em spicy!

Cheesy Fritters: Add grated cheese like cheddar, mozzarella, or Parmesan to the batter for an extra savory kick. It’s like having these cheese crisps!

HOW TO STORE FRITTERS

Allow the fritters to cool completely to room temperature. Place the fritters in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.

HOW TO REHEAT

Using the microwave will make them soggy. By reheating them in the oven or skillet, it can still have that crispy texture.

Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the fritters in a single layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and crispy.

Skillet: Reheat the fritters in a skillet over medium heat with a little oil until heated through and crispy on both sides. Fry for about 3-5 minutes per side.

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