Vegetable Patties

Vegetable patties are a versatile and tasty dish that can be prepared in various ways, depending on your preferences and the vegetables you have on hand. Here is a basic recipe for Italian vegetable patties, but remember that you can always vary the ingredients depending on what you prefer or have at home.

Ingredients

• 2 medium zucchinis
• 1 large carrot
• 1 medium onion
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 150 grams of spinach (fresh or frozen)
• 100 grams of breadcrumbs
• 50 grams of grated cheese (Parmesan or pecorino)
• 2 eggs
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Chopped parsley (optional)
• Extra virgin olive oil, for cooking

Preparation

1. Wash and cut the zucchini and carrot into small pieces, chop the onion and garlic.
2. In a pan with a little oil, sauté the onion and garlic until translucent.
3. Add the zucchini and carrots to the pan and cook until they soften. Add the spinach and cook for another 2-3 minutes until wilted.
4. Transfer the cooked vegetables to a large bowl and let them cool for a few minutes.
5. Add the breadcrumbs, grated cheese, eggs, salt, pepper, and chopped parsley (if using). Mix well until you have a homogeneous mixture.
6. Take spoonfuls of the mixture and form patties with your hands. If the mixture is too wet, you can add more breadcrumbs to absorb the moisture.
7. In a pan, heat some olive oil and cook the patties until they are golden brown on all sides.
8. Vegetable patties can be served hot or at room temperature, as an appetizer, main course, or side dish.

Vegetable patties are also a great way to get children to eat vegetables or to use up leftover vegetables in the refrigerator. Moreover, according to Italian tradition, you can enhance the flavor by adding herbs such as basil or rosemary to the mix for an extra touch. Buon appetito!