Snacking can be a task sometimes, especially when you can’t find anything in your kitchen to munch on. The evening hunger pangs are a major issue because you can’t have something like a roti or paratha as it would fill you up too much for dinner and nibbling on biscuits doesn’t satiate your appetite either. In such a scenario, a plateful of fritters can be a tempting offer. Yet again, the calories and your health concerns come in the way and you shy away from them instantly. Though that makes complete sense to us too, but what if we tell you that you can relish your snacks without an ounce of guilt now?
Yes, you read that right. Fritters, aka pakoras, as they are known in India can be made with a variety of ingredients. Some of the most popular ones here are potatoes, onions, cauliflower and more. While aloo ke pakore can be too starchy, there are various other healthy ingredients that can take the shape of these crispy snacks.
Served with a creamy yoghurt-based dip or fresh homemade tomato and mint sauce, these fritters can be a delicious snacking affair for you. Here are some of the ways in which you can satiate your fritter cravings in a healthy way.
1. Zucchini Fritters
Bearing a close resemblance to cucumbers in terms of colour and shape, the seedy fruit has a creamy white flesh inside unlike the latter. Zucchini can simply be sliced into circular shapes and dipped in a batter of gram flour to be fried. Packed with vitamins, minerals and lots of fibre, the fruit is low on calories too. When you are getting taste with health, what else do you need?
2. Carrot Fritters
Carrots are loaded with iron and considered to be great for the eyes and skin. The nutrient-rich profile of carrots makes them an ideal choice for fritters. The carrots are peeled and finely sliced into juliennes. The crunchiness of the carrots adds to the crispness of the fritters and make them a great snack to munch on.
3. Pumpkin Fritters
The huge pumpkin is cut into smaller cubes to be fried into fritters. The pumpkin is spruced up with tangy and spicy ingredients to give it a flavour. The nutrient-dense vegetable is good for the eyesight, loaded with Vitamin A and reduces risk of several chronic diseases.
4. Corn Fritters
The freshly-cooked corn on the cob has a very appetizing aroma that fills the air. In fact, in winter months, munching on hot and fresh corn is a delight. So why not make some fritters with this too? The tiny pieces of sweet corn are meshed together to form a mixture and fry it into a crispy snack.
5. Quinoa Fritters
Quinoa is a great gluten-free substitute for rice and is widely used across dishes from quinoa biryani to pulao. The same quinoa grains can be spruced up to make a nice mixture for fritters. These fritter can then be enjoyed with a tangy tomato dip.