Weed Fritters

Submitted by esther da pester

"yup.. it's food from weeds! Pick some dandelion leaves, or nettles and make fritters. This is a greek recipe - called hortakeftedes. Horta means wild greens and anything can be used from spinach, to beetroot tops. Traditionally wild greens (weeds) are used which can have a lovely bitter taste. Suit yourself."

 

• Ready In: 30mins
• Ingredients: 7
• Yields: 8-16 fritters

ingredients

• 250 g plain flour
• 60 g polenta
• 2 egg yolks, beaten up
• 1⁄4 cup soymilk
• 3 cloves garlic, sliced
• 250 g dandelion greens or 250 g nettles
• yoghurt

directions

1. mix the flour, polenta, milk and egg yolks together in a bowl- it's very dry so of course i got carried away and added heaps of milk, but later the greens add wetness so resist.
2. leave it somewhere peaceful to rest for 30 minutes.
3. cook your weeds in boiling salted for 10 minutes with the garlic.
4. drain and rinse in cold water then drain well.
5. add garlic and greens to the floury mixture.
6. season with salt and pepper and stir well.
7. heat about 1cm of olive oil in a heavy frypan.
8. shape mixture into fritters- add flour if too wet.
9. fry 5 minutes on each side or until golden.
10. serve with yoghurt and cold beer.

Reviews

[hunnybees]

I love dandelion and was looking for more ways to prepare it. This is an instant favorite! Very good tip in step one about not adding more milk as I too was tempted but the recipe works perfectly as written. Thanks!

 

[Denibates]

I used poke salad greens picked on the bank of the Kentucky River....... I have a bunch in my freezer. They were really awesome, and a new way to use weed! I suggest trying this with cornmeal sometime.....I haven't tried it yet, but I think it would be really good. Great recipe, and thanks for the history.