Zucchini Corn Fritters with Basil Buttermilk Sauce

Why This Recipe is a Keeper:

Finding creative ways to use an explosion of zucchini from the garden can be challenging. While it’s possible to freeze zucchini, how great would it be to pull something out of your freezer when you’re short on time this winter that just needs to be reheated?

Although the Basil Buttermilk Sauce is not freezer-friendly, Zucchini Corn Fritters do freeze and reheat beautifully, especially in the air fryer. Thawing is not necessary so you can pull what you need out of your freezer this winter for a quick and easy vegetarian entree or side dish.

So, enjoy some now and enjoy some later!

How to Make Zucchini Corn Fritters with Basil Buttermilk Sauce:

Recipe Ingredients:

Here’s everything you’ll need to make this zucchini fritter recipe. See the recipe card below for the exact quantities.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions:

• Corn: Fresh corn is ideal but frozen corn will also work. If using frozen corn, you’ll need approximately 2 cups. Rinse it under cool running tap water to thaw, then drain well.
• Cayenne Pepper: Cayenne pepper is optional here and adds a nice little kick. If you don’t like spicy food, leave it out.
• Oil: I used canola oil but any all-purpose cooking oil such as vegetable or corn oil will work.
• Mayonnaise: We love Duke’s! Definitely use Duke’s if you can find it in your area.
• Buttermilk: Full-fat buttermilk will have the best flavor but if you want to cut the fat and are used to it, a lower fat-content buttermilk is fine to use.
• Lemon Juice: Fresh is best!
• Chives: Substitute a small finely chopped scallion for the chives if desired.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

• Gather, prep and measure out all your ingredients.
• Start by grating the fresh zucchini and place it in a colander over a bowl, plate or in the sink. Give it a generous salting and let it sit while blanching and prepping the corn. It will start to wilt and release water.

• Prepare an ice bath.
• Bring a pot or large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Carefully drop the corn into the boiling water and cook for 2-3 minutes.
• Remove with tongs and drop into the ice bath to cool.
• Remove the corn kernels with a sharp knife.

• Combine the zucchini, corn and the remaining ingredients and stir to combine. The batter should be sticky.

• Place a cooling rack over a baking sheet or spread some aluminum foil or parchment paper over your countertop to catch any drips.
• Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Using a measuring cup, place approximately 1/3-cup of the batter into the hot oil.
• Cook the Zucchini Corn Fritters for approximately 2-3 minutes per side. Adjust the heat as necessary so the cakes cook and brown evenly.

• When nicely browned and firm in the center, transfer to the prepared rack/surface to drain.

• Combine the ingredients for the Basil Buttermilk Sauce in a food processor or blender and process until smooth.

• That’s it! Serve the Zucchini Corn Fritters immediately or cool and reheat later.
• MAKE AHEAD:  Cook as directed.  Cool thoroughly and refrigerate.  When ready to serve, reheat at 350 degrees in the oven or toaster oven until thoroughly heated through, 15-20 minutes.

Chef Tips and Tricks:

• Zucchini contains a fair amount of water.  As shown above, it’s important to extract as much as possible.  Thorough salting helps the process along and you’ll have significantly less water than when you started, but then you’ll need to remove the excess water. Ways to do this include:
  • Squeeze the water out with your hands.
  • Enclose it in a clean kitchen towel and twist it.
  • Squeeze the water out in a potato ricer.
• So that you can easily remember which cake you placed in the hot oil first (also the one you want to flip first), place it at the handle of the skillet then add more in a clockwise pattern.
• Because there is a fair amount of oil required to cook these cakes, flip them away from you to avoid being splashed with hot oil.
• Draining the cakes on a wire rack instead of on paper towels will help keep the exterior of the cakes crispy. Allowing the fritters to sit on oil-soaked paper towels will cause them to be soggy.