These Masala Butternut Squash Fritters are crispy on the outside tender inside, and served with a delicious creamy sweet spicy sauce. Masala means spices, and these fritters are definitely spiced up. A perfect weeknight meal done under 30 minutes, minimal ingredients and minimal effort
During the winter months there is an overabundance of butternut squash, and I am always trying to find new ways to use it. I have roasted butternut squash, pan fried it, and now made them into fritters (these might be my favorite).
What you need to make these Masala Butternut Squash Fritters?
Butternut squash
Small onion
Spices: garlic powder, coriander powder, Kashmiri chili powder, and cumin powder
Chickpea flour (Besan)
Salt
How to prepare the butternut squash?
The butternut squash needs to be shredded, and you can do this two ways. The first way is to shred it using a box grater which is laborious and a little time-consuming. The second way is to use a food processor which is my preferred method. You can choose the method that best suits you.
Why use chickpea flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Chickpea flour or besan as it is known in Indian kitchens is a gluten free flour, protein packed, lower in carbohydrates than all-purpose flour, and is a denser flour which absorbs more moisture.
When I was first testing this recipe I made a traditional fritter batter using eggs and all-purpose flour, but did not enjoy the texture. I decided to apply the Indian method of making onion fritters (Pakora), in which the fritter batter is made with the moisture released from onions and chickpea flour.
Since there are no eggs in these fritters they need a denser flour such as chickpea flour to bind the fritter mixture.
How to make these Masala Butternut squash fritters?
To a bowl mix the shredded butternut squash, spices, onions, and salt. Let the mixture sit for five minutes, and then add the chickpea flour. When you mix in the chickpea flour you will see a moist batter is formed. Heat up a frying pan, mound on fritter mixture and fry on both sides till golden brown.
How to make the creamy sweet spicy sauce?
The sauce is made of two ingredients Greek yogurt and Maggi hot and sweet tomato sauce. The hot and sweet sauce can be found at the Indian grocery stores, if you can’t find it then just use regular ketchup. You can also substitute mayonnaise for Greek yogurt, if you are vegan you can use vegan mayo or vegan yogurt.
These Masala butternut squash fritters are quite filling on their own, but if you want a hearty meal you can serve them with fried eggs or poached eggs on tops.
Other dishes that go well with these fritters:
Healthy Cauliflower soup with toasted pumpkin seeds
Quick and tasty tomato cheese toast
Healthy Mediterranean summer salad
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| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Cook Time | 20 minutes |
| Servings |
fritters
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- 1.5 lbs butternut squash peeled and seeds removed
- 1 small onion red or yellow thinly sliced
- 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 1/2 tsp. Kashmiri chili powder or paprika use less if you dont like it spicy
- 1 1/2 tsp cumin powder
- 1 1/2 tsp. corriander powder
- 1/2 cup chickpea flour found at Indian stores or even Whole Foods
- Salt to taste
- vegtable oil for frying
- 1/3 cup greek yogurt full fat or non fat
- 1 tbsp Maggi Hot & Sweet tomato sauce available at Indian store, if you cant find it just use regular tomato ketchup
Ingredients
Fritters
creamy sweet spicy sauce
|
|
- Shred the butternut squash either using a box grater or to save time use a food processor. In a large bowl combine the shredded butternut squash, sliced onions, salt, and spices. Mix it well, then leave it aside for 5 minutes. The onions will release moisture and then add the chickpea flour. Mix till it is well combined
- Heat a large saute pan, liberally coat it with oil. Once the oil is hot, scoop 1/4 cup mounds of mixture into the pan, spacing them at least 2 inches apart. Press the fritters lightly into rounds. Cook the fritters for 3 minutes and then flip them once, cook for another 2-3 minutes till they are golden brown and cooked through. Place them on a wire rack to keep them crisp and sprinkle immediately with salt. Repeat scooping and cooking process with the remaining mixture.
- In a small bowl combine yogurt and sweet and spicy sauce. Serve with fritters and enjoy
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