Zucchini Fritters

I take pictures of food way more often than I write about it. Sometimes the food (or the pictures) does not turn out as well as I planned. Sometimes I take the pictures for other reasons, such as wanting to brag to my mother. Most of the time I just don't get around to writing. Life is too distracting.

I was exploring my old picture files and found this one of zucchini fritters.

It isn't the most appetizing. And it looks like I was using way more butter/oil than I actually was because my stovetop wasn't level. But, zucchini fritters are still delicious, and now it's zucchini season again.

I'm not really into most vegetables. I like them in theory. I like reading about them, looking at pictures of them, imagining a future where I grow them. But in reality I am not a fan. So, it's good for me to find a recipe which disguises super-cheap (often free in the case of zucchini, once the season gets going) vegetables as something delicious. Of course, it's not hard when the solution involves bacon, garlic, and cheese.

Zucchini Fritters
4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
1 medium zucchini fritters, shredded
1 1/2 cup shredded cheese (I've used cheddar, but experimentation is in the future)
2 garlic scapes or 1 clove garlic, minced
2 eggs, seperated
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup masa or cornmeal
2 Tbs sour cream
dash cayenne pepper & salt

--mix all ingredients except egg whites
--whip egg whites and fold into batter
--drop by the 1/4 cup onto medium-heat greased skillet and fry until golden
--suggested serving: with tomato, avocado and sour cream

Derby!

Now, you might think that the Kentucky Derby is an event celebrated only by those in the South, those interested in horses or gambling, or those with TVs who can actually watch the event. But you would be wrong! Derby Day can and should be celebrated by anyone with a love of goofy hats or delicious minty cocktails.

To the left you will see an example of an acceptable hat for Derby Day celebrations.

Now, when Pirogi and I do celebrations, we generally have to go all out--make a day of it. We also needed to clean out my fridge, which had an inordinate amount of meat in it. Normally, I buy/eat meat once or twice a week. In my fridge, I had chicken, kielbasa, steak, and bacon. The bacon and steak were both from farms near where Pirogi's parents live and pretty delicious.

So, Derby Day began with a proper breakfast.

French toast with strawberries, bacon, pineapple, coffee. I have never succeeded at making french toast before, so this was super exciting.

Dinner was barbecue chicken,
asparagus, onion, and biscuits. But, of course, the highlight of the evening, the entire reason for Derby Day (besides the horses, I suppose) was the mint juleps.

First step: minty syrup (my job)
1 cup white sugar
1 cup water
1/4 cup chopped mint

Boil until sugar is completely dissolved, then remove from heat and let steep for 1 hour. Strain and cool.

Second step (Pirogi's job)
bourbon
mint syrup
Mix and serve over crushed ice with mint sprig garnish.

20 Mule Team Borax