Zucchini and Speck Croquettes

Zucchini and speck croquettes are a delicious appetizer or a tasty main dish that can be enjoyed by everyone. Here I offer you a simple and flavorful recipe.

Ingredients

• 400 grams of zucchini
• 100 grams of speck
• 1 egg
• 80 grams of grated Parmesan cheese
• Nutmeg (to taste)
• Salt and pepper (as needed)
• Bread crumbs (enough for breading)
• Vegetable oil (for frying)

Preparation

1. Start by washing the zucchini, then grate them finely with a large-hole grater and squeeze them to remove excess water.
2. Cut the speck into thin strips or dices.
3. In a bowl, mix the grated zucchini with the speck, grated Parmesan cheese, a grating of nutmeg, salt, and pepper to taste.
4. Add the egg to the mixture and mix well until you get a homogeneous and fairly compact mixture. If the mixture is too soft, you can add some bread crumbs to make it firmer.
5. Shape small croquettes with your hands, giving them the shape you prefer (round or cylindrical).
6. Roll each croquette in bread crumbs, making sure it is well covered on all sides.
7. In a frying pan, heat a good amount of vegetable oil and, once it has reached the right temperature for frying, immerse the croquettes being careful not to overlap them.
8. Fry the croquettes until they are golden and crispy. Turn them a couple of times to ensure even cooking.
9. Drain them from the oil and place them on paper towels to remove excess oil.
10. Serve the zucchini and speck croquettes hot or warm.

Zucchini and speck croquettes can be paired with a truffle sauce or with a simple mayonnaise flavored with fresh herbs to further enhance the flavor.

Curiosity

Speck is a typical charcuterie from Northern Italy, especially from Trentino-South Tyrol. It is made from pork thigh and is flavored with a mixture of herbs and spices, then smoked and cured for several months. Its presence in this recipe gives the croquettes a pleasant smoky and savory taste.