National Dish New Zealand: Courgette Fritters (Recipe)
In this article
Discover Courgette Fritters, one of New Zealand’s most beloved everyday plates! Crisp little rounds of freshly grated courgette and chopped herbs, fried until golden and served warm, they are as welcome as a light snack as they are as a proper main course. Simple, wholesome and endlessly forgiving, they turn a summer glut of courgettes into something genuinely worth sitting down for. Bring a taste of a Kiwi kitchen garden to your own table.
About Courgette Fritters
Courgette fritters are a much-loved dish in New Zealand, and their appeal has spread well beyond the country’s shores. These delicious fried batter rounds pair the freshness of courgettes with a generous handful of aromatic herbs. They are not only a perfect snack but also a genuinely healthy option that stands up beautifully as a main. If you are after a straightforward, flavourful recipe that is both nourishing and delicious, these fritters are exactly what you are looking for.
Ingredients (serves 1–2)
- 2 medium courgettes, grated
- 1/2 cup flour (plain or gluten-free)
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs (parsley, chives)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil for frying
Shopping for the ingredients
Before you start on the courgette fritters, it is worth gathering the right ingredients. Head to your local supermarket or a weekly market for fresh courgettes and herbs. Choose organic or locally grown produce where you can — it makes a real difference to the flavour. It is also worth picking up a few extra spices or additions so you can tune the fritters to your own taste.
Preparing the dish
Preparing courgette fritters is quick and uncomplicated. Begin by washing the courgettes thoroughly and grating them. Once grated, wrap the courgette in a clean tea towel and squeeze out the excess water. This step is essential: it stops the fritters becoming too wet and helps them hold together properly in the pan.
Step-by-step instructions
- Grate the courgettes and squeeze out the excess water.
- In a bowl, combine the grated courgette with the flour, egg and chopped herbs.
- Season the mixture with salt and pepper.
- Heat plenty of oil in a frying pan and drop in spoonfuls of the courgette mixture.
- Fry the fritters on both sides until golden brown and crisp.
- Drain on kitchen paper and serve warm.
Gluten-free / lactose-free version
Courgette fritters are easy to make gluten-free and lactose-free. Simply use gluten-free flour in place of plain wheat flour to adapt the recipe. Instead of egg you can use a plant-based alternative such as a flaxseed or chia “egg” to bind the mixture. That way vegans can enjoy these delicious fritters too, without giving up any of the flavour.
Tips for vegans and vegetarians
Vegan courgette fritters are simple to put together — just swap the egg for a plant-based binder. Grated courgette combined with a flaxseed egg or a chia egg gives an excellent consistency. You can also fold in other vegetables such as carrots or peppers to raise the nutritional value and ring the changes. This adds colour and flavour as well as making the fritters more sustaining.
More tips and tricks
To make courgette fritters even tastier, try adding different spices. Paprika, cumin or a little garlic powder all give the dish an extra kick. Another trick is to bake the fritters in the oven rather than frying them, which cuts the calories considerably. You keep the lovely flavour without cooking them in a lot of oil.
Adapting the recipe to your taste
Courgette fritters are remarkably adaptable. Use different herbs such as basil or oregano to steer the flavour in a new direction. Adding cheese — feta or Parmesan, say — lends the dish a heartier, saltier note, much as it does in a Wild Mushroom Risotto. Play with the proportions and the ingredients until you have developed your own favourite version.
Ingredient substitutions
If you have no courgettes to hand, other vegetables work well too — carrots or sweet potatoes, for example. They make just as tasty and nourishing a base for your fritters. Frozen herbs can stand in for fresh ones if fresh are not available, though do adjust the quantity, as frozen herbs are often more intense in flavour. The same grated courgette also does sterling work in a Zucchini Bread.
Drink pairing ideas
A light, refreshing drink goes perfectly with courgette fritters. A crisp white wine or a fruity sangria complements their flavours beautifully. For non-alcoholic options, a freshly squeezed citrus juice or a homemade iced tea is an excellent choice. Either way, these drinks provide a pleasant lift and round off the whole experience.
Serving and presentation ideas
Presentation can add a great deal to the pleasure of courgette fritters. Serve them on a colourful plate, garnished with fresh herbs or a good sauce. A yoghurt dip or a spicy salsa makes a fine accompaniment, giving every bite a little more flavour. Be creative with the plating too — it makes the dish look all the more appetising.
A bit of history
The exact origins of courgette fritters are not known, but fried vegetable dishes appear in cultures all over the world. In New Zealand, though, this one has grown into a genuine favourite, especially during the courgette harvest. The combination of wholesome vegetables and fresh herbs has pleased more than just the palate — it has enriched countless gatherings up and down the country. Today the fritters are a fixture of New Zealand cuisine and enjoy an international following, standing alongside classics such as Whitebait Fritters.
More recipe ideas
Summary: Courgette Fritters
Courgette fritters are a delicious and healthy choice for any meal, and they offer no end of scope for adaptation. They are not only easy to make but also a great way of working fresh vegetables into your cooking. Whether you serve them as a snack, a side or a main course, these fritters are sure to delight you and your guests alike. Give them a go and let the flavours of New Zealand inspire you.
