Mucver, Zucchini Fritters, Tahini Sauce
In case you are wondering what Mucver is, it is a Middle Eastern favorite made with grated zucchini, carrots, onion, feta cheese, and spices then fried into a delicious flavorful fritter that is equally good hot as it is cold then next day. And the Tahini Sauce is a fabulous tangy dip that I devour with these fritters as well as some lightly toasted pita bread. I mean, YUM-O.
This recipe is near and dear to my heart because my sweet friend from High School, Nada, gave me this recipe several years ago. I lovingly refer to this dinner as Nada’s dinner as my sweet friend went home to Jesus in May of 2013. Nada had a spice line called Nada Problem and had recipes to go with her spices. If you've never tried Mucver, a.k.a. zucchini fritters, you absolutely must try THESE! Usually, Mucver is served as a hot appetizer, but I serve them up for dinner along with falafel and pita with Nada’s Tahini Sauce and Yogurt Dip. YUM-O!! I know every time I make her recipes she is smiling down on me and it makes me thankful for her life, our friendship, and that I can celebrate her even now.
My daughter Hope is obsessed with these fritters. Now, I’m just saying, if you’ve got teenagers asking you to make a healthy vegetarian meal, you’ve got to be doing something right! Am I right? The Mucver has tons of flavor and is even great cold the next day (which if you haven't noticed in my previous blogs, I love leftovers that can be eaten straight out of the fridge the next day)!
I hope you will give this fabulous dish a try, created by a fabulous woman.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups grated zucchini (2-3 zucchinis)
- ½ cup grated carrot (about 2)
- 1 small onion grated
- 2 Tablespoons fresh dill weed finely chopped, or 1-2 teaspoons dried dill weed
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ⅓ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1 cup flour
- 3 eggs
- Seasoning mixture (this is my spice mixture that would closely resembles Nada’s Falafel Spice mixture)
¼ tsp ground coriander
¼ tsp ground cumin
¼ tsp granulated garlic
¼ tsp onion powder
¼ tsp paprika
¼ tsp salt
⅛ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- Olive oil for frying
Directions:
Place the grated zucchini in a tea towel and squeeze out excess water. This is important for crispy Mucver!
Place the zucchini in a large bowl, add grated carrots, grated onion, dill and parsley,
Fold in the feta cheese then add flour, eggs, and seasoning mixture.
Mix well, the batter will be thick!
Heat oil in a frying pan. Spoon ¼ cup of batter for each fritter and spread out slightly with the back of a spoon.
Fry on each side for about 3 minutes or until golden brown.
Drain fritter on paper towels. Keep warm while frying other batches. Then serve with Tahini sauce if desired. I LOVE THIS STUFF!!!
Nada’s Tahini Sauce
Tahini is made from sesame seeds and you can find it at most grocery stores.
Note: Stir well before measuring. After the first use, well-stirred you will need to refrigerate. Once it is refrigerated the tahini becomes solidified so you will need to bring to room temperature for easier stirring.
Note: This sauce is amazing on toasted or warmed pita bread and lovely with the Mucver or Lamb Kebabs (later post coming soon).
Ingredients:
4 cloves garlic
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup well-stirred tahini
2 Tablespoons lemon juice (fresh squeezed preferred) or 1 tsp citric acid
¼ cup water
⅓ cup olive oil
1 Tablespoon fresh cilantro
1 Tablespoon fresh parsley
½ teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon cayenne powder
Directions:
Place all ingredients in a blender until well blended. Taste for seasoning and enjoy!!
Yields 1 ¼ cups.
This is Nada and I back in the 80's! Our birthdays are 11 days apart and I moved next door to her when I was 14 and we were fast friends (btw I moved from New Jersey to Kentucky and I knew NOBODY and she welcomed me as a friend immediately). Her house was my second home in high school. One of our favorite things to do was go to church together on Sundays and afterward enjoy Chinese food. Her family influenced me and my faith in a way that I know God orchestrated me moving next door to her and I am so thankful to have had the blessing of Nada and her parents and her 2 brothers in my life. I miss you, sweet friend! Until we meet again! HUGS!!!!!!!
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