Mussel Fritters

Mussel fritters are a delectable New Zealand dish made by combining minced mussel meat with a flavorful batter, then shallow-frying until crispy brown. Serve them with lemon wedges or lemon mayo for a delightful appetizer or snack! ✨ Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside – these mussel fritters are a must-try! Perfect as a side dish or a snack, they’re a popular street food here in New Zealand. Thanks to my wife for this amazing dish! ❤️ #MusselFritters #KiwiFood #StreetFood #HomemadeDelights

By the fourth day, you might have some leftover mussels from yesterdays Tinolang Tahong. If you do, fantastic! You can make some scrumptious fritters. If not, feel free to buy fresh ones. Mussel fritters are a popular street food in New Zealand, commonly seen in flea markets. Coated in batter and pan or deep-fried, these fritters are crunchy on the outside but soft and tender on the inside, making them a delightful side dish or a tasty snack on their own.

Fritters, also known as frytors or frytos, have a rich history dating back to Ancient Rome. The Romans introduced fritters to Europe during their conquests, leading to the development of various regional variations. The Spanish have frittatas, and the French have beignets, all originating from the original Roman recipe. Early fritters were often sweet, made by running batter down the chef’s fingers to create streams of dough that tangled together in hot oil, and then sprinkled with sugar. These batters sometimes included wine or ale and had a higher egg content.

Today, fritters come in endless varieties, both sweet and savory. You can make them with ingredients like potato, pineapple, apple, peas, corn – the list goes on. For this post, we’re focusing on mussel fritters, a beloved Kiwi treat.

Why You’ll Love Mussel Fritters

• Flavorful: The combination of mussels and zucchini/courgette makes this dish special. The fritters are crunchy on the outside but soft and tender inside.
• Versatile: Enjoy them as a side dish or a standalone snack.
• Simple to Make: With a few basic ingredients and simple steps, you can whip up a batch of these delicious fritters.

Mussel Fritters

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 11 reviews

• Author: Raymund
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 6 mins
• Total Time: 26 mins
• Yield: 4-5 1x
• Category: Snack
• Cuisine: Kiwi

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Ingredients

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• 18 pcs cooked New Zealand Green Lippped Mussels or Smoked Mussels (more flavour), chopped
• 2 pcs courgettes, grated
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup all purpose flour
• 3/4 tsp baking powder
• 1 tbsp spring onion, finely chopped
• 1 tbsp coriander, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• juice from 1/2 lemon
• butter

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Instructions

1. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, lemon juice, baking powder, and flour until you have a thick, smooth batter.
2. Fold in the chopped mussels, grated courgettes, finely chopped spring onion, chopped coriander, minced garlic, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.
3. Heat a generous amount of butter in a large frying pan over medium heat.
4. Spoon the batter into the pan, forming small pancake-like fritters.
5. Cook each fritter for about 3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
6. Serve the mussel fritters hot with a side of aioli or garlic-infused mayonnaise for dipping.

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Mussel fritters are a delightful way to enjoy leftover mussels or fresh ones. This dish combines the unique flavors of mussels and zucchini, resulting in fritters that are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. A big thank you to my wife for making this dish – it’s one I constantly nag her to make, and the image above is her delicious creation.