ZUCCHINI BACON FRITTERS WITH BASIL-MAYO DIPPING SAUCE

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Zucchini Bacon Fritters With Basil-Mayo Dipping Sauce image

Fried zucchini is a classic snack, but watch what happens when it's amped up with smoky bacon and spicy jalapeño. The fragrant, floral basil dipping sauce is a terrific complement to the tender, light zucchini bites, filling your mouth with the scent of summer. (Editors' note: This recipe is solely the creation of Andrea Albin and has not been formally tested by the test kitchen.)

Provided by Andrea Albin

Categories     Blender     Appetizer     Cocktail Party     Mayonnaise     Basil     Bacon     Zucchini     Summer     Deep-Fry     Gourmet     Sugar Conscious     Kidney Friendly     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free

Yield Makes about 40 fritters

Number Of Ingredients 18

For basil mayo:
1 cup basil
1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
For fritters:
About 6 cups vegetable oil for frying
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
3 medium zucchini, chopped
1/2 fresh jalapeño, stemmed and minced (including seeds)
2 tablespoons finely chopped chives
1 large egg, lightly beaten
3/4 cup whole milk
6 slices crisp-cooked bacon, finely chopped
Special Equipment
A deep-fat thermometer

Steps:

  • Make basil mayo:
  • Purée basil with mayonnaise, water, and lemon juice in a blender. Transfer to a small bowl and chill until ready to use.
  • Make fritters:
  • Preheat oven to 200°F.
  • Heat 3 inches oil to 350°F in a deep 5-quart pot over medium-high heat.
  • Meanwhile, whisk together flour, baking powder, cayenne, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Stir together zucchini, jalapeño, chives, and a pinch of salt in another bowl. Add egg, milk, and bacon to zucchini mixture and toss to coat zucchini. Stir in flour mixture until incorporated.
  • Fry small spoonfuls of batter in batches of about 10, turning occasionally, until golden-brown all over, 3 to 4 minutes per batch. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined baking sheet and keep warm in oven. Return oil to 350°F between batches.
  • Serve fritters with basil mayo.

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