Kolokithakia Me Feta Zucchini With Feta Recipes

CRISPY FRIED ZUCCHINI - COURGETTE FRITTERS RECIPE (GREEK KOLOKITHAKIA TIGANITA)

Steps:

• To prepare this Greek fried zucchini recipe start by washing the zucchini. Remove the stalks and ends and slice in thin slices, approx. 0.5 cm or lengthwise. (For this fried zucchini recipe the skin is not removed, so make sure to wash it thoroughly).
• Place the zucchini in a colander along with some salt and set aside for 1 hour to drain.
• Dredge the zucchini in the flour, place them on a large platter and leave in the fridge for 3-4 hours. At this point the moisture coming out from the zucchini will transform the flour into a batter. If you don't have the time, just coat them with flour and dip each one separately in a glass of water just before frying.
• Into a medium sized frying pan pour enough vegetable oil to deep fry the zucchini. Heat the oil to medium high heat until it begins to bubble. Test if the oil is hot enough by dipping one of the zucchini rings in; if it sizzles the oil is ready. For crispy fried zucchini it is best to fry in batches for about 2 minutes, flipping them sides, until nicely coloured.
• Remove the fried zucchini using a slotted spoon and place on some paper towel to dry for 1-2 minutes. Have a taste and season. Serve while still hot with tzatziki sauce.
• To prepare this batter fried zucchini recipe, start by preparing the batter for the fried zucchini. Pour the beer in a large bowl and add the flour (sifted) a little bit at a time whilst whisking, being careful not to get lumpy. The batter for coating the fried zucchini should be more liquid (not firm), so if it's getting too firm, use less flour than this recipe calls for. Season with salt and pepper, cover the batter with some plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 30 minutes.
• In the meantime wash the zucchini, remove the stalks and ends and slice in thin slices, approx. 0.5 cm or lengthwise.
• Place the zucchini in a colander along with some salt and set aside for 15-20 minutes to drain. Pat them dry with some kitchen paper.
• Dip the zucchini one at a time in the batter and fry on both sides until nicely coloured. Remove the fried zucchini using a slotted spoon and place on some paper towel to dry for 1-2 minutes.
• Enjoy this delicious batter fried zucchini while still hot with a last minute squeeze of a lemon!

SAUTEED ZUCCHINI WITH FETA

Steps:

• In a 12-inch skillet, heat the oil on low. Slowly saute the zucchini and garlic, with a little salt, until golden and slightly caramelized, about 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Mix in parsley or basil, cilantro and feta.

KOLOKITHAKIA ME FETA (ZUCCHINI WITH FETA)

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees.
• Slice zucchini lengthwise into 1/2" thick slices. Sprinkle with salt, place in a colander and let stand until water drains, approximately 2 hours.
• Rinse zucchini and squeeze dry with paper towels.
• Coat each zucchini slice with flour.
• Place a layer of zucchini in a 9" square greased baking pan.
• Sprinkle with 1/3 of the Parmesan, mint and feta.
• Repeat layers of zucchini, cheeses and mint but save enough zucchini for a top layer.
• Sprinkle mozzarella over all.
• Top with a layer of zucchini.
• Pour oil over all.
• Bake for 45 minutes or until the zucchini is tender.
• Cool for 25-30 minutes. Cut into squares.
• Serve hot or at room temperature.

GREEK STUFFED ZUCCHINI (KOLOKITHAKIA YEMISTA AVGOLEMONO)

Steps:

• Cut zucchini into 1/2s or 1/3s, cored on one end (the other end is left intact) and remove filing carefully with corer so that a not-too-thick wall of zucchini remains to contain the filling, keep 1/2 the zucchini flesh removed from the coring, minced (not the shells- but the actual part of the zucchini that was removed, the other half makes a lovely omelette with a bit of parmesan for another meal!).
• You can prepare your zucchini from the previous day and keep, wrapped, in the refrigerator- this actually makes a lot less work on the day of preparation as it's the coring of the zucchini that takes up the most time.
• Mix the meats, onion, garlic, rice, parsley and zucchini in a bowl and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Stuff this mixture into the opening of the one end of each zucchini piece and make sure the filling goes all the way into the vegetable.
• Level opening neatly so that no filling comes out.
• Layer the filled zucchini pieces in a big pot and add enough boiling water to just cover.
• Put in the stock cubes and the butter and cover.
• Simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour (knife tip should slip into a piece easily), and take off heat.
• Carefully remove the zucchini pieces with a slotted spoon and place on a reheatable serving dish.
• Strain the cooking liquid left in the pot to remove any pieces of zucchini or grains of rice that may be floating around.
• In a large bowl, whisk the eggs with the cornstarch and lemon juice (add the juice of 1 lemon at this point).
• Slowly ladle in (literally the thinnest of streams) your hot cooking liquid, whisking the eggs all the while so they don't curdle.
• Keep doing this till nearly all the cooking liquid has been used and then pour your egg mixture and any cooking liquid left back into the pot and heat on a low flame until the sauce has thickened.
• Taste, if it needs more lemon, add up to 1/2 more.
• This is what is called an'Avgolemono Sauce' (Egg-lemon Sauce)- it is delicious.
• When ready to serve, put 2-3 piping hot pieces of the stuffed zucchini on each plate and nap with the sauce.
• Serve with feta cheese on the side (you won't believe how good a nibble of feta tastes with each bite of this!), good, crusty bread (you want to get all the sauce), and wine.

GRILLED GREEK CHICKEN BREASTS WITH WHIPPED FETA

Steps:

• Cut chicken breasts in half lengthwise.
• Combine red wine vinegar, kosher salt, black pepper, cayenne, thyme, oregano, rosemary, and garlic powder in a bowl. Add chicken and toss until thoroughly and evenly coated. Pour in ¼ cup olive oil and toss to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 to 12 hours, but 2 to 3 hours is ideal.
• Place Greek yogurt in another bowl and crumble in feta cheese. Add garlic, mint, and lemon zest and whip with an electric hand mixer or whisk until light and fluffy. Taste and adjust as needed. Refrigerate until needed.
• Preheat a charcoal grill until coals are white and very hot.
• Grill chicken over the hot coals for about 4 minutes per side; continue to flip and grill chicken until no longer pink in the center and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of each piece reads at least 150 degrees F (65 degrees C). Remove from the grill and let rest for about 5 minutes.
• Spread whipped feta onto a serving platter or plate and place chicken over top. Sprinkle with fresh Italian parsley and mint and serve.