This is from Ottolenghi’s book, SIMPLE. These pea fritters are good hot or cold, as part of a light lunch or a side dish as part of a feast.
INGREDIENTS:
- 500g frozen peas, defrosted
- 120g ricotta
- 3 large eggs, beaten
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- wedges of lemon, to serve
- 3 tbsp za’atar spice (from seasoned pioneers)
- 100g white flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 20g mint leaves
- 200g block of feta, crumbled into large chunks
- about 800ml oil
- salt and pepper
METHOD:
- Mash the defrosted peas using a soup wand or blender, just until the mixture is coarsely crushed.
- Transfer the peas to a bowl, add the ricotta, eggs, lemon zest, 3/4 tsp salt, a good grind of pepper, and mix well.
- Add the za’atar, flour and baking powder, mix well, and then fold in the feta and the chopped mint.
- Pour the oil into a saucepan, and heat to a medium to high heat.
- Using a pair of dessert spoons, form the mixture into smooth ovals, and drop them into the boiling oil. They should fizz and bob to the surface, and cook to a wonderful crispy brown in about 3-4 minutes. You’ll need to ensure they are flipped over in the oil to cook on all sides.
- As each batch becomes cooked, lift them out in a slotted spoon and put on a towel to drain the oil, before adding to the serving dish.
- Serve with the wedges of lemon.