Whether it’s a rainy day or a chilly winter evening, snacks like aloo bajji, onion pakoda, spinach corn pakoda, and paneer pakoras are often the go-to choice. But if you’re looking to try something new, give this delicious zucchini bajji a shot. Thinly sliced zucchini is coated in a lightly spiced gram flour batter and deep-fried until golden and crispy. These fritters, also known as bhajiya, bajji, pakora, or pakoda, are sure to become a new favorite. This fritters are vegan and gluten-free, and comes together in just 20 minutes using simple ingredients. If you’re looking for more inspiration, be sure to check out these Indian zucchini recipes.
Zucchini Stir Fry Zucchini Curry Zucchini Besan Sabzi Zucchini Pakoda
Ingredients
Zucchini - I used fresh and firm green zucchini. You can also use yellow squash. Besan Flour (Gram Flour) - is a gluten-free flour and is the primary ingredient for making the batter. Rice Flour - Added to give a crispy texture to the pakoras. Ginger - you can add grated ginger or ginger paste. It is added for the flavor, so don’t skip it. Spices & Seasonings - Ajwain (carrom seeds), turmeric, red chili powder, garam masala, and salt are used to enhance the flavor. Baking Soda: Also known as cooking soda. It helps to achieve fluffy and light bajjis.
How to Make Zucchini Bajji/Fritters Recipe
Wash the zucchini and slice thin. Do not peel skin. In a wide mixing bowl, combine besan (gram flour), rice flour, red chili powder, turmeric powder, ajwain seeds, hing, salt, and baking soda (optional). Now add the water little by little and make a medium-thick batter of smooth consistency with a hand or whisker. The batter should not be too thick or thin. It should just coat the bajji slices correctly. Beat the batter further for a minute to make it fluffy or airy. Heat oil in a wide, deep kadai or pan over medium-high flame. Take 5-6 zucchini slices, add in the bajji batter, take each coated zucchini slice, and gently slide in the oil. Do not overcrowd. Fry the bajji from both sides till they are crisp and golden in color. Once done, drain the bajji’s on the paper napkin to absorb excess oil. You can also sprinkle some chaat masala powder over the zucchini bajji’s. Serve crispy Indian zucchini (courgette) fritters with tomato ketchup.
Variations
If you don’t have rice flour at home, you can substitute it with the same amount of cornflour or cornstarch, or simply skip it altogether. You can replace ajwain with jeera (cumin) seeds for the bajji’s. It will give a nice taste and also helps with indigestion. If you can’t find besan, substitute it with chickpea flour. Zucchini can be replaced with bottle gourd (lauki), ridge gourd, potato, or eggplant.
More Indian Snack Recipes
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