Most of the time I try to follow a gluten-free diet. Unless it’s a special occasion. Or pizza night. Or I’m traveling. OK, some of the time I follow a gluten-free diet. Rather than buying gluten-free substitute foods (gf boxed cookie and cake mixes, bread, pasta, etc.) I like to eat foods that naturally don’t contain any gluten. But fritters are tricky to make gluten-free. They usually contain a little all-purpose flour to help bind together a batter. In this recipe I use cheddar cheese to work as a binder. As the fritters cook the cheese melts and crisps under the grated carrots.
These fritters can be a little fragile so use a good fish spatula or offset spatula to flip them. Reheat any leftover fritters in a 300 F oven.
Carrot and Cheddar Fritters
makes about 10 to 12 fritters
Ingredients
3/4 pound carrots, peeled
1 small yellow onion, trimmed, peeled and halved
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves, plus more for serving
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 eggs, lightly beaten
4 ounces cheddar cheese, grated
Extra virgin olive oil, for pan
Sour cream, for serving
Grate the carrots and onion, using a box grater or a food processor fitter with a grater attachment. Place vegetables in a large bowl and combine with the garlic and thyme and season generously with salt and pepper. Stir in the beaten egg.
Heat a large 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add enough oil to coat pan, about 1/4-inch deep. Once the oil shimmers add 1/4 cup of the carrot mixture to the pan, using a spatula flatten to slightly flatten, with 4 fritters in the pan at once. Cook fritters until crisp and a dark golden brown color, about 2 to 3 minutes per side, gently flipping over with a fish spatula. Reduce heat if fritters darken too quickly. Using a spatula, remove fritters to a paper towel lined plate or tray. Sprinkle with salt while hot. Repeat with remaining carrot mixture, adding more oil to pan between batches as needed.
Serve fritters warm with fresh thyme leaves and a dollop of sour cream.
This recipe is partnered with Local Roots NYC, a small, mission-driven business here to serve fellow New Yorkers and regional growers. Click here to join!