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    Home > Recipes

    Zucchini Cakes with Goat Cheese Mousse

    Published: September 15, 2021 By Urban Foodie Kitchen Last Updated: September 16, 2021 18 Comments

    Skip to Recipe Print Recipe

    These crispy zucchini fritters are super easy to make and are the perfect way to sneak some tasty veggies into your meal! 

    These crispy zucchini fritters are super easy to make and are the perfect way to sneak some tasty veggies into your meal! 

    So, how do you feel about veggies?? I have to confess, I'm not a huge fan of vegetables. So when it actually comes to veggies I like, I try to find as many ways as possible to use them.  These Zucchini Fritters are one veggie dish that I just love! Topped with a tangy goat cheese mousse they make a great side dish or a nice light, weeknight meal. And they are a great way to use up your end-of-summer zucchini!

    Recipe Ingredients

    Several of the ingredients for this recipe are basics you probably have on hand. Here’s what you’ll need:

    Fresh zucchini: Fresh from your garden or the local farmer's market would be the best choice but I make this recipe all year round using zucchini from the grocery store.

    Egg: You’ll need one large egg.

    Red onion: I prefer red onion for this recipe, however, you can substitute a yellow onion (not a sweet onion).

    Lemon zest: Fresh lemon zest is the best option for this recipe though you could used dried lemon peel in a pinch, just reduce the amount by at least half.

    Parmigiano-Reggiano: Any type of high-quality parmesan cheese can be used, I just happen to prefer this one.

    Goat cheese: You want to use the log style, soft goat cheese for this recipe. Be sure to leave time to let it come to room temperature before mix it with the other ingredients.

    Cream cheese: You can use either regular or whipped cream cheese for this recipe.

    Sambal: You are only using a small amount in the goat cheese mousse so if you don't have sambal in your refrigerator you can substitute a different type of hot sauce. If substituting, start with ⅛ teaspoon and add from there.

    Fresh cilantro: I don’t recommend substituting dried in this recipe.

    Spices: Ground black pepper, sea salt

    Pantry staples: Olive oil, all-purpose flour, garlic clove, baking powder

    Zucchini Cakes

    Making Zucchini Fritters

    When I think of zucchini, I usually think of summer. Since it's on my short list of favorite veggies, I like to use it all year long for these zucchini cakes. This recipe is super easy as it only has a few steps to it.

    Shred the zucchini. The first step in this recipe is to grate the zucchini and then drain it. Getting as much water as possible out is an important step to making sure you don't end up with soggy fitters! Putting the grated zucchini on paper towels and pressing the water out is the most effective way to drain it.

    Make the mousse. While you let the zucchini drain for a little longer, mix the mousse ingredients up in a small bowl and then refrigerate until ready to use.

    Zuch Cakes

    Assemble the mixture. Once the zucchini is fully drained, you'll mix in the rest of the fritter ingredients.

    Pan-fry the fritters. You are using a relatively small amount of oil to fry these which keeps them healthier and cuts down on the mess.

    Meal prep tip: You can make the goat cheese mousse a day ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use.

    These crispy zucchini fritters topped with a goat cheese mousse are a great way to take your side dish to the next level.

    Serving Suggestions

    These fritters make the perfect side dish for just about any main. You can also eat them on their own for a light lunch or dinner.

    If you want to keep it simple, you could just add a piece of grilled fish or chicken for a quick weekday meal. For something a little more sophisticated, I’d serve them with this Lemon Garlic Butter Shrimp or this Grilled Apricot Glazed Pork Tenderloin. For dessert, I’d finish with this Skillet Apple Crisp.

    A nice wine pairing with this recipe is a crisp Sauvignon Blanc.

    More unique side dish reicpes

    If you are looking for more ideas for interesting side dish recipes check out these Roasted Carrots with Honey Ricotta or these Smashed Potatoes with Pancetta and Sage Sauce.


    things you may want for this recipe

    Food Processor with Shredding Blade –  While you can always hand grate your zucchini, it goes much faster with a food processor fitted with a shredding/grating blade.  Most Cuisinart food processors come with one, as do many other models.

    Microplane Zester - This is another one of my essential kitchen tools.  I use it for zesting all kinds of citrus and also for grating hard cheeses and occasionally even for grating chocolate!

    These crispy zucchini fritters are super easy to make and are the perfect way to sneak some tasty veggies into your meal! 

    Zucchini Cakes with Goat Cheese Mousse

    Author: Kathryn | Urban Foodie Kitchen
    These crispy zucchini fritters are super easy to make and are the perfect way to sneak some tasty veggies into your meal!
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 20 mins
    Course Veggies & Sides
    Servings 2 to 4

    Ingredients
      

    For the zucchini cakes: 

    • 1 pound zucchini
    • ½ teaspoon garlic olive oil
    • 1 egg, lightly beaten
    • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
    • ½ teaspoon sea salt
    • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 2 tablespoon finely diced red onion
    • 1 clove garlic, finely minced
    • ½ teaspoon lemon zest
    • 2 tablespoon Parmigiano-Reggiano

    For the goat cheese mousse: 

    • ¼ cup soft goat cheese
    • 2 tablespoon soft cream cheese
    • 1 garlic clove, minced
    • ¼ teaspoon sambal
    • 2 tablespoon cilantro leaves, chopped

    Instructions
     

    • Shred the zucchini. Attach a shredding/grater blade to your food processor and grate the zucchini.  Transfer to a cutting board covered with 2 layers of paper towel; cover with another paper towel and press to remove water.  Let sit for 2-3 minutes and repeat.
    • Make the mousse. While the zucchini is draining, mix all the mousse ingredients in a small bowl.  Refrigerate until ready to use.
    • Create the mixture. Transfer zucchini to a medium bowl and add all remaining ingredients except for olive oil; mix well.
    • Pan fry the fritters. Heat oil in a 12" non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Use a small scoop to drop batter into skillet. Flatten with a spatula and cook for 2 minutes. Turn cakes and cook for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Remove from pan and keep warm. Repeat with any remaining batter.
    • Place fritters onto serving dishes and top with goat cheese mousse.  Serve immediately.
    Keywords : unique side dishes
    Did you make this recipe?Tag @urbanfoodiekitchen on Instagram or hashtag it #urbanfoodiekitchen

    This post was originally published in December 2014 and updated in September 2021 with some new information. No changes have been made to the original recipe.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Monica Brisnehan says

      January 02, 2015 at 8:35 pm

      I could certainly get into veggies this way!

      Reply
    2. Amy Basso says

      September 07, 2015 at 11:21 am

      5 stars
      Great idea for all that end-of-summer zucchini coming my way!

      Reply
    3. Jeannie says

      September 09, 2015 at 2:14 pm

      Sounds like a great recipe to try! My neighbor just told me she has some zucchini for me from her garden...great recipe to use it in!

      Reply
    4. Lucy @ Bake Play Smile says

      September 13, 2015 at 8:42 pm

      Oh what a gorgeous photo!!!! I love zucchini fritters - they're so yummy and easy. I'll definitely be using your recipe next time. Thanks for linking up with our Fabulous Foodie Fridays party! xx

      Reply
    5. Ali @ Home & Plate says

      October 21, 2015 at 7:02 am

      These look mouthwatering and delicious. Such a pretty picture too.

      Reply
    6. heather @french press says

      October 21, 2015 at 8:04 am

      I am definitely a veggie lover, but my kids are not; I bet these zucchini cakes could change their minds

      Reply
    7. Elena says

      October 21, 2015 at 6:19 pm

      It's that time of years! I'm about to make a latke with every vegetable I can!

      Reply
    8. Sabrina @ Dinner, then Dessert says

      October 22, 2015 at 12:47 am

      This looks like a great way to get kids to eat vegetables! Sounds delicious!

      Reply
      • FoodieGirlChicago says

        October 25, 2015 at 8:16 pm

        Thanks Sabrina! These would be a great way to get kids to eat some veggies!

        Reply
    9. Kait says

      October 22, 2015 at 4:57 am

      These look amazing!! Delicious as s side or even a srarter!

      Reply
    10. Anna @annaDishes says

      October 22, 2015 at 5:56 pm

      I love zucchini cakes! These look delish, nice and crispy. A great way to sneak in veggies.

      Reply
      • FoodieGirlChicago says

        October 25, 2015 at 8:17 pm

        These a definitely a good way to sneak some veggies in - I can eat at least a whole zucchini this way!

        Reply
    11. Marissa @ OMG FOOD says

      December 13, 2015 at 3:07 pm

      Oh, yeah. I'm making these this week! I'm in the middle of meal-planning and just added zucchini and goat cheese to the grocery list. I love zucchini cakes so much and that goat cheese mousse has me drooling. Thanks for the shout-out to my tzatziki recipe, lady. <3

      Reply
      • FoodieGirlChicago says

        December 20, 2015 at 1:56 pm

        Thanks Marissa! The goat cheese on these is super yummy!

        Reply
    12. Carol Borchardt says

      November 19, 2017 at 5:34 pm

      I am one of those crazy people who loves zucchini. I just think it is such a versatile vegetable! That goat cheese mousse sounds divine! Definitely going to try these when we have an overabundance of zucchini!

      Reply
    13. Michele says

      August 08, 2018 at 3:33 am

      5 stars
      Kathryn, these Zucchini Cakes look truly scrumptious! I'm dying over the goat cheese mousse as well! What a perfect pair. Thank you so much for allowing me to include your recipe in my zucchini round-up. Have a great day!

      Reply
      • FoodieGirlChicago says

        August 14, 2018 at 7:12 am

        Thanks Michele. And thanks so much for including them in your round-up!

        Reply
    14. Carol Borchardt says

      November 08, 2020 at 7:41 am

      5 stars
      Yum! I love zucchini cakes. We make them in the summertime but never paired them with something so amazing as a goat cheese mousse! Definitely something I'm going to be trying!

      Reply

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