Quinoa Zucchini Firtters with Creamy Honey Mustard Sauce

Since we've been visiting farmers markets every weekend we have an abundant amount of veggies, especially zucchini.  One of the farms selling their produce had the cutest baby zucchini and I think I went a little overboard...now I need to use them all before they go bad!  While searching for some recipes I came across a few for zucchini quinoa burgers.  I took what I liked from each one came up with these.  Best part is that the hubby and little guy devoured them.  Healthy, easy and so good.

Ingredients:

4 small or 2 medium zucchini (equal to about 2 cups grated)
2 cups cooked quinoa
1 medium red or yellow onion
2 cloves garlic
1/4 cup grated parmesan
1/2 cup grated mozzarella
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 tablespoon hot sauce (less, or none if you don't like spicy stuff)
1 cup seasoned whole wheat bread crumbs
1 egg


Directions:

Grate the zucchini, mix with a teaspoon of salt and place into a fine strainer.  Allow liquid to drain (leave be for about 10 minutes).  You can push down with your hand to help release the liquid.  

Cook quinoa according to the directions on the package and set aside.  I made one cup dried, which equaled a little over the 2 cups needed for the recipe once cooked.

Grate the onion over a pan drizzled with olive oil.  Cook for about 2 minutes.  Grate the garlic and cook for an additional minute.  

Add together the grated zucchini, quinoa, onions, garlic parmesan, mozzarella, chili powder, hot sauce, bread crumbs.  TASTE before adding egg.  Some bread crumbs, like the ones I used, had a lot of salt and I did not need to add any.  You might want to add salt depending on what kind of bread crumbs you use.  Season accordingly.  Add the egg and stir to combine. 

Form patties and place in fridge for about ten minutes.  I was able to make 9 medium sized patties. 

Heat up a generous amount of olive oil in a large pan.  Keep flame at about a medium-low and cook on one side for about 7-8 minutes, until nicely browned.  Make sure to slowly slide your spatula under to flip.  They do stick a little but if you take your time, they will turn nicely.  Continue to cook on the other side for about another 7-8 minutes.  Remove and let rest for about 5 minutes.  Then eat!!!

Creamy Honey Mustard Sauce:

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons mayonaise
2 tablespoons favorite mustard
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Dash hot sauce
Freshly ground black pepper















Mix and top your fritters!  So yummy!