National Dish Uruguay: Vegetable Patties (Recipe)
In this article
Meet Medallones de Verdura, a colourful celebration of the garden on a plate and a firm favourite in Uruguayan home cooking. These savoury vegetable patties bring together grated carrot, courgette and mashed potato into a mixture that fries up beautifully, with a crisp golden crust and a soft, juicy centre. Light yet satisfying, they make a wonderful meatless main or a moreish snack, and they happily bend to suit vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free diets alike.
About Vegetable Patties
Medallones de Verdura are a true highlight of Uruguayan cooking, bringing the colours and flavours of fresh produce straight to the table. These savoury vegetable patties are built from a medley of just-picked vegetables that come together in a delicious, nourishing mixture. They are not only a much-loved dish across Uruguay but also work perfectly as a vegetarian main course or a crunchy snack. With their crisp exterior and tender, juicy middle, the medallones make for an unforgettable mouthful every time.
Ingredients (serves 1–2)
- 200 g carrots, grated
- 100 g courgette, grated
- 1 large potato, boiled and mashed
- 50 g flour (e.g. plain or spelt flour)
- 1 egg (or a vegan alternative)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Olive oil, for frying
Shopping for the ingredients
When shopping for Medallones de Verdura, it pays to pay close attention to the quality of the fresh produce. Head to a local farmers’ market or reach for organic vegetables to get the very best flavour. Make sure the carrots and courgette are firm and crisp rather than tired or soft. Doing so guarantees that your medallones deliver on both texture and taste.
Preparing the dish
Getting Medallones de Verdura ready is quick and straightforward. Begin by washing the vegetables thoroughly, then finely grate the carrots and the courgette. You will also need to boil a large potato and mash it so it blends smoothly with the other ingredients. Set out a roomy mixing bowl, too, where you will bring the mixture together and stir it until well combined.
Step-by-step instructions
- Tip the grated carrot and courgette, along with the mashed potato, into a large mixing bowl.
- Add the flour, egg, salt and pepper, then mix everything well until you have a smooth, even mixture.
- Divide the mixture into small portions and shape each one into a flat patty.
- Heat a pan with olive oil and fry the patties until golden brown on both sides.
- Drain the finished patties on kitchen paper and serve them warm.
Gluten-free / lactose-free version
Medallones de Verdura are easy to make gluten-free and lactose-free. Instead of ordinary flour, you can use gluten-free flour or oat flour to achieve a similar consistency. For the lactose-free version, swap the egg for a mixture of water and ground linseed. These small adjustments mean everyone can enjoy the dish, whatever their dietary needs.
Tips for vegans and vegetarians
For a vegan take on Medallones de Verdura, simply leave out the egg and replace it with a plant-based binder. Soaked chia or linseed work brilliantly here, swelling in water to form a gel-like consistency that holds the patties together. You can also fold in extra vegetables or pulses to boost both the flavour and the nutritional value. The result is a wholesome, tasty patty suited to just about anyone.
More tips and tricks
To make preparing Medallones de Verdura even easier, you can get the ingredients ready the day before. This saves time and gives the flavours a chance to mingle and deepen. Take care not to shape the patties too large, so they cook through evenly. If you like things on the punchier side, fold in some fresh herbs such as parsley or chives to intensify the flavour.
Adapting the recipe to your taste
Medallones de Verdura are wonderfully adaptable and can be reworked entirely to suit your own preferences. Add a pinch of chilli for a spicier version, for example, or swap in different vegetables such as broccoli or spinach. This flexibility lets you reinvent the recipe again and again and adjust it to whatever is in season. Experiment with flavours and textures until you hit on your perfect mix.
Ingredient substitutions
If you do not have certain ingredients to hand, there are plenty of alternatives for Medallones de Verdura. Sweet potato can stand in for ordinary carrots, lending the patties a sweeter note, much like the gentle sweetness at the heart of Pumpkin in Syrup. You can also replace the flour with chickpea flour, which makes the medallones higher in protein. Be creative and do not be afraid to try out different combinations.
Drink pairing ideas
Refreshing drinks that echo the flavour of the vegetable patties pair beautifully with Medallones de Verdura. A classic unsweetened iced tea or sparkling water with a slice of lemon makes an excellent accompaniment. For a special twist, serve a light wheat beer or a glass of apple juice to complement the savoury notes of the dish. Match your drink to the occasion and your own taste for an all-round satisfying meal.
Serving and presentation ideas
Medallones de Verdura lend themselves to creative plating that turns the table into a real feast. Serve the patties on a colourful bed of fresh salad leaves, scattered with toasted nuts or seeds for an extra bit of crunch. A dip of yoghurt or a home-made salsa verde alongside looks every bit as good as it tastes. You will soon find that a beautiful presentation only heightens the pleasure of the meal.
A bit of history
Medallones de Verdura are far more than a simple dish; they also carry the heritage of Uruguayan cuisine. Traditionally they were made with whatever vegetables were on hand, a reflection of just how creative and resourceful cooks once had to be. In Uruguay they are often prepared for celebrations or shared family meals, embodying the friendship and conviviality that good food brings. With each new batch and every fresh variation, this traditional dish is kept alive and carried into the present day.
More recipe ideas
- Pumpkin in Syrup
- Zucchini au Gratin
- Quinoa and vegetable patties
- Spinach and feta parcels
- Vegan lentil and sweet potato burgers
- Courgette noodles with pesto
Summary: Vegetable Patties
Medallones de Verdura are a delicious, endlessly adaptable vegetarian dish from Uruguay that comes together with very little fuss. They invite you to experiment with all sorts of vegetables and ingredients, making it easy to cater to individual tastes. Whether served as a snack or a main course, they are remarkably versatile and suit almost any occasion — a versatility they share with comforting bakes like Zucchini au Gratin. Let the simple preparation and full-bodied flavour of the medallones win you over.
