Fritters. A popular antipasto all over Italy and in our home, too. Fritters made from seasonal vegetables are all the better – making these Kohlrabi and Summer Squash Fritters a perfect choice for July!
Kohlrabi is a mildly sweet, crispy textured tuberous vegetable, also known as a German Turnip. It comes from the family that includes cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, collard greens and Brussels sprouts. And although we’re only using the bulb today, the leaves can be used like you might use turnip greens.
I had the idea to combine grated kohlrabi with grated summer squash as the rinds of the squash are tender and edible. The only peeling we need to do is for the kohlrabi. The veggies get a good grate, either in a food processor or with a box grater (which is always my go-to tool for making fritters) and then it’s a matter of mixing in common fritter ingredients.
The color and mild sweetness make for an appetizer that looks and tastes like summer.
Speaking of summer…our family took our highly anticipated summer-vacation last week. It was all about Mickey and Harry. As in Mouse and Potter.
Yep, now that the entire family is over 21 – we decided that Disney World and Universal were the places to go.
Mmm-hmmmm.
Tiny tots running around, 100 degree heat with humidity off the charts… But guys, if you’re a fan of the JK Rowling series like our crew is, then you understand the choice we made. Okay – so we’re just big kids (really big kids) at heart.
I can tell you, though – it’s a mystical experience. Yes, we cried upon entering The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (okay – so maybe that was just Luc and I) but, I’d be willing to bet that if we looked closely enough, Dom, Chels and Nick were misty, too. It’s the music, I tell ya. We can’t handle it.
Anyway – the trip was spectacular and our time together, wonderful. We’ve been to Disney, before, when the kids were younger, and boy, if that place doesn’t pull at the old heartstrings at every turn of a corner, but, there was something about being there with our adult children that actually made it more sentimental…more nostalgic…
Speaking of nostalgic…on our last evening, while decompressing over a hand or two of Rummy, and in the sharing of our favorite moments, we concurred that not only were our days filled with activities that kids go crazy for – but our diet would make any eight year old a very happy camper. I won’t go into detail, let’s just say – we took our job serious.
Making these vegetable fritters all the more welcome to our table. They have a real grown-up feel. Don’t ya think?
Once the fritters are fried and ready to go, serve them on a platter with an extra grind of Parmesan, and a good squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
I’ve included a bowl of cherry tomato marinara, so if you’re anything like I am and like a good dollop of zingy sauce on your fritter, it’s a delicious option, but not necessary.
Kohlrabi and Summer Squash Fritters just might be my new favorite fritter. (Today.)
Buon Appetito!
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Kohlrabi and Summer Squash Fritters
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 1 large kohlrabi
- 2 summer squash
- 3 eggs, beaten
- 3/4 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
- 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup olive oil (plus more if needed)
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges
- marinara (optional)
Instructions
- Remove leaves from kohlrabi and peel the bulb.
- Using a food processor or box grater, shred the vegetables.
- Place the shredded vegetables on a large tea towel or using your hands, remove the moisture from the vegetables.
- Place in a large bowl and add eggs, bread crumbs, flour, Parmesan, cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper and stir to combine.
- In a large nonstick sauté pan set over medium heat, heat 1/4 cup olive oil.
- With a tablespoon, drop batter into oil.
- Cook until each fritter is golden brown on each side (2 -3 minutes per side).
- Remove fritters and place on a paper towel lined plate to drain.
- Continue to add oil to the pan as needed and finish frying.
- When all the batter is cooked, place fritters on a serving platter.
- Serve with extra grated Parmesan, lemon wedges, and marinara.
Cocktails with my peeps at Three Broomsticks in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter…. Sighhhhhhh
Accio long pin!
CIAO!
Annie, I so enjoyed reading your post! I took my daughter to Disney and Universal when she was younger, but we have been planning and anticipating a trip when she is done with college – hopefully before she has her own kiddos so we can act like kiddos ourselves! Yes! It is the music! At least – that’s an excuse that might work 😉
I love experimenting with new veggies, but, I’ve never touched kohlrabi – and I am so intrigued! Your fritters look amazing – I’d be all over them with or without that sauce!
Thank you so much, Shashi! That will be a wonderful time for the two of you!! Just bring tissues…you know – with the music and all! 😉 I think you’d really enjoy these fritters! 🙂
Wow! First off. . .what a great looking family you have Annie. You and Dom sure have some good genes. And all those curls!!!! Do you know what kind of torture I would have to put my hair through to get curls that look half as good? Second, Can you believe I have never been to Disney World/Land? Crazy, I know. Interestingly the new Disney in Shanghai opened the first week I was in Shanghai. . .but there was no way in Hades I was even going near that place on opening day, week, month or even year. I suspect it was a complete mad house. Third, how gorgeous is kohlrabi? The color alone is stunning. . .but then you have that quirky shape. . .so, so beautiful. Last. . .gimme, gimme those fritters. 😉
Awhhh! Thank you, my sweet! And you need to know that we’ve gone down that road of straightening (well, the girls anyway!) with minimal success…. The first sign of rain and – boing – they’re back again! I have to admit – with all the traveling you do – I’m a little surprised that Mickey has yet to make the cut! 😉 Well – it’s fun knowing it’s still out there!! And yes – I think kohlrabi is soooo beautiful. When I removed it from my weekly CSA stash – I was like, whatthe? I loved it! I will happily make and give you all the fritters! 🙂
Annie, it sounds like you guys had such a wonderful time! And you’re family is SO beautiful! I didn’t know that kohlrabi was also known as a German turnip! Shh…. don’t tell my husband, who grew up in Germany 😉 I love fritters – seriously, who doesn’t? And this combination of the summer squash, kohlrabi, and that gorgeous cherry tomato marinara is pure gold!
You’re secret’s good with me! 😉 It really is a lovely combination of ingredients…its mild sweetness wrapped in a golden crunchy bite is the best! Thank you for your kind words, my friend! 🙂
Kohlrabi! What a creative fritter. It’s nearly as magical as Harry himself… GREG
Indeed it is!! That’s what I was going for! 😉 Thanks, friend! 🙂
I’ve never had kohlrabi, but that is one beautiful purple piece of produce! I could totally crush those fritters too! I’m so glad you got to take such a fantastic vacation with your family. I love that picture of your beautiful family!
Isn’t it pretty?! And I don’t know if my brain is still in Harry Potter mode but I think it kind of looks like the golden snitch! Am I right? 🙂 Thank you for your sweet words, my friend!
I’ve never tried kohlrabi…what have I been missing?!! I could eat fritters for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Yours look so delicious! I’m glad you guys enjoyed your trip. How special to all be together! And, I must confess, my kids love Harry Potter, but I may or may not have fallen asleep in the movie theater the last time we saw one of the films…
Get your hands on some kohlrabi! It’s fun and tasty! Hahahahah! Well, if it was the final movie of the series, I get it! I think that was like 10 hours long…pretty sure I drifted in and out, as well! 🙂
I LOVE fritters, Annie! I could easily make a meal out of them and I even bet these would be awesome for breakfast with a poached egg. I’ve never had kohlrabi before, but I know that I would like it ’cause I haven’t met a veggie that I didn’t like. I saw some of your trip pictures on Instagram and looks like you guys had the BEST time. I can’t imagine that whole Harry Potter area. Must have been so magical. Hubby and I are definitely like kids at heart too and I know we would enjoy this too. Thank you for sharing an awesome recipe and your special time with your family 🙂 Pinning these fritters and trying real soon 🙂
You are onto something, sister! These would be divine for breakfast with a poached egg! Oh, I can barely focus now just thinking about it! Kids at heart forever! Only way to be!! Thanks for your kind words, my friend! 🙂
What a great vacation!And these fritters! Yum!!! This year we have kohlrabi growing in our garden! I haven’t known what to do with it. These fritters will be on my list to try!
Wow – I love that you’re growing it! Our CSA is the closest we’ll probably ever get to having the freshest! We tried a garden once…maybe we should try again. I hope you try the fritters! I’d love to know what you think! Thanks, friend! 🙂
Just the word Fritter makes be happy and these look delicious! I have a confession though, I have never had kohlrabi. This seems like the perfect first time recipe! Sounds like the family trip was a blast and I love the family photo. Take care.
We definitely have that in common! The word fritter makes me happy, too! Oh yes – I think this is a good recipe to cut your kohlrabi teeth on! Thank you, my friend! Take care!
I love that picture of your family! I also love your fritters. I could imagine dipping them in a million different sauces.
Thank you so much, Jeff! Oh yeah – dipping sauces are where it’s at! 🙂
Sounds like you had a great trip, Annie! I’m loving these little fritters, I feel like I can’t get enough squash this time of year 🙂
‘Little’ fritters are my secret to eating more! 😉 We had a fabulous time! It just went too fast! Thanks, friend! 🙂
Ahh, your family is so cute – love the selfie! And Disney World (or land in my case) is always a fun treat. I try and go once every year or so – usually when friends/family are visiting. It’s a long, fun, exhausting day – but so worth it. As for these fritters – I’ve got lots of summer squash coming in so will be trying this. I’ve never cooked with kohlrabi before so that will be a first for me!
Awhhh – I love that! If you try them I’d love to know what you think! How lovely that you live so close to Disney and can get there often… I would go once a year, too! Thank you for your kind words, my friend! Have a lovely weekend, Geraldine!
Oh my, do we love our fritters! They look and sound sensational, great addition the cherry tomato marinara! So happy you had a wonderful time with your family at Disney world. Disney has no age ?. Beautiful picture of a beautiful family, Annie.
You can never go wrong with a good fritter! Thank you for your sweet words, my friend! 🙂
I get kohlrabi in my CSA box and always eat it raw because 2 years ago I tried to cook it once in a fritter form but it was a complete disaster. Very happy to have your recipe so it will actually turn out edible now! I grew up in South Florida so we had season passes to Disney, then as an adult I moved to Orlando and lived there for 8 years. Let me tell you, I was in 7th heaven! I went to Epcot all the time just to walk around and pick up dessert at every country. lol! It’s so great to feel like a kid again with no worries or bills or responsibilities. Totally agree with you too on the Harry Potter world. Universal did an awesome job with that!
Yes! Try the recipe – I promise you’ll have success!! Wow – Epcot all the time? That was a magical time! Good for you…I would do the very same thing if I lived there! Dessert and Soaring…. Thanks, friend!
Annie, this dish looks so delicious! There’s just something about the summer that cries for fritters, right? 🙂
I just loved hearing about your family trip to the Wizarding World!!! Imagine, I was just sitting here, squeeing and yelping with each line. Count me in as a TOTAL kid at heart. I woulda been crying so many buckets upon entering too. My heartstrings tugged right along with you. Now that the kids are all grown up, it’s like you all get to experience it through different, more appreciative, more mature eyes. 🙂 I’m so happy that you had that wonderful experience with your family. And thank you so much for sharing it with us. 🙂
It is no surprise to me that you’re a kid at heart! 🙂 Oh yeahhh – crying buckets! Between Harry Potter and Jurassic Park music…mess! Thank you so much, my friend! xo
YAYYYY! So glad you had a blast with your peeps at Disney and Universal! Going to amusement parks as an adult is just as much (if not more) fun than going as a kid. I mean rides PLUS cocktails? *ahh hem* YES PLEASE! 🙂 Love the picture you shared of you guys! You have such a beautiful family, Annie!!
Okay, fritters!! Another YESSS PLEASE! Seriously, I am a fritter fanatic… but really what sane person isn’t, right?! So I am looooving these!! The fresh summer produce you used is just beyond fabulous! I can see myself turning a platter of these into dinner EASILY! And I’ll be taking extra fresh marinara with mine! Love how you think, my dear! Pinned! Cheers, lovely! xoxo
You are correct! Somehow – it is more fun as adults…yep – I’m thinking the cocktails in Epcot and Harry Potter World played a nice role in our conclusion! 😉 Well, we’re just gonna have to be fritter friends now, too! They’re one of my favorites – I mean, what’s not to love?! They make a perfect dinner…snack…lunch…okay – breakfast too! Perhaps I have some experience with that! Have a great day, sweets! Thanks for the pin and kind words!! Cheers! xoxo
What a wonderful share! Thank you so much and I love the last picture! Wish we could get together with our crew more often. And your fritters? WOW! I think they would go great with our family fish fry that is coming up. Have a great day!!
Thank you, Marisa! I know…I get it! Makes us cherish the moments even more! So happy you like the fritters! I agree, they would be fabulous at your fish fry! When shall I arrive?! 😉
Ooooh, vacation! That last pic, Annie.. made me smile. There’s nothing like traveling fun with family! So happy for y’all and that you made it happen – not easy to do as kids get older. I’ve been trying to get our family together for a vaca for years… it hasn’t happened… I remain hopeful. These fritters! AND you used Kohlrabi – smarty pants! I just got one from my CSA and I’ve been staring at it trying to figure out what I’ll do with it. You’ve the perfect solution! And fritters? I’ll never tire of them. Delicious work, Annie! xo
Thank you so much, my friend! You’re exactly right…Dom and I so appreciated that we could all be together – it’s not easy! Good luck with your effort in getting your family together! I’ll remain hopeful, too! 🙂 I am thrilled that you’re enjoying the fritters! Kohlrabi is a fun veggie! Truth is I’d never cooked with it before! I love my CSA! But you knew I would! 😉 Have a great day, Traci!! xo
I love this post! Recalling our trip while looking at pictures of fritters…. Doesn’t get much better than that! xo.
Awhhhh! Thanks, dolly! I’m still basking in the glow!! xoxo.
Sounds like you had a lot of fun in Disney, Annie! I loved seeing your pictures on instagram! And these fritters…yum! I’ve never made a veggie version like this. I love the texture and flavors!
They’re a little bit light and a little bit sweet! So delicious! Thanks, Gayle! And thanks for following along on Instagram! 🙂