Summer Squash Fritters With Garlic Dipping Sauce Recipe (2024)

Recipe from “In the Kitchen and David: QVC’s Resident Foodie Presents Comfort Foods That Take You Home”

Adapted by Kim Severson

Summer Squash Fritters With Garlic Dipping Sauce Recipe (1)

Total Time
1 hour, 25 minutes
Rating
4(621)
Notes
Read community notes

David Venable, the most popular host on QVC, has a reputation for comfort food in its most cheesy, porky forms. But he is also a son of the South, and loves his summer vegetables. This recipe shows off his appreciation of both and is a delicious way to use up summer squash. It might seem daunting to peel 20 cloves of garlic, but you can make quick work of it by smashing the unpeeled cloves lightly with the side of a knife. The papery part will be easy to remove, and the cloves will still roast up mellow and soft. The resulting sauce is also excellent on sandwiches. —Kim Severson

Featured in: QVC’s David Venable: The Man Who Helps America Cook

  • or to save this recipe.

  • Subscriber benefit: give recipes to anyone

    As a subscriber, you have

    10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers.

    Learn more.

    Subscribe

  • Print Options

    Include recipe photo

Advertisem*nt

Ingredients

Yield:About 18 fritters

    For the Garlic Dipping Sauce

    • 20garlic cloves, peeled (about 2 heads)
    • Extra-virgin olive oil
    • 1cup mayonnaise
    • 3tablespoons lemon juice
    • 1teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼teaspoon ground black pepper
    • ¼cup chives, minced

    For the Fritters

    • cups all-purpose flour
    • ¾cup shredded white Cheddar
    • 1teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1teaspoon ground black pepper
    • 1teaspoon garlic powder
    • 2large eggs
    • ¾cup cold beer
    • 1cup grated zucchini (about one 6- to 7-ounce zucchini), drained on paper towels 15 minutes
    • 1cup grated yellow squash (about one 6-to 7-ounce squash), drained on paper towels 15 minutes
    • 1small yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced
    • ½cup canola oil, for frying

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (18 servings)

282 calories; 25 grams fat; 4 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 12 grams monounsaturated fat; 9 grams polyunsaturated fat; 12 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram dietary fiber; 1 gram sugars; 3 grams protein; 223 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Powered by

Summer Squash Fritters With Garlic Dipping Sauce Recipe (2)

Preparation

  1. Prepare the Dipping Sauce

    1. Step

      1

      Heat oven to 375 degrees, put garlic cloves in a small baking dish and add enough olive oil to cover. Roast until garlic is soft and golden, about 30 minutes. Cool.

    2. Step

      2

      Drain garlic, reserving oil. Transfer to a food processor, add 1 tablespoon reserved oil and the mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt and pepper and purée. Transfer to a bowl and stir in chives. Use remaining oil for another purpose.

  2. Prepare the Fritters

    1. Step

      3

      Combine flour, Cheddar, salt, pepper and garlic powder in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, gently whisk eggs with beer. Pour egg mixture into flour mixture and stir until combined. Stir in zucchini, yellow squash and onion.

    2. Step

      4

      Heat canola oil in a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Drop about 1 tablespoon of batter into the oil per fritter and fry 6 fritters at a time until golden-brown, 2 to 3 minutes a side. Remove to paper towels to drain. Serve hot, with the sauce on the side.

Ratings

4

out of 5

621

user ratings

Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

Private Notes

Leave a Private Note on this recipe and see it here.

Cooking Notes

Ashley

Made a keto-friendly version by subbing almond flour for all purpose flour. Also added a chopped shallot and some garlic to the batter and some extra cheese since I didn't plan on making the sauce. Fried in coconut oil. SUBLIME. Super flavorful, great option when you're craving some crispy starch.

quaasam

Adding 1 tabsp of fresh italian parsley and 1 teasp of dill
improves taste. Easy and simple.

McDonaldco

There is an easy way to peel 20 garlic cloves. Smash the head on the counter to separate the cloves. Place the unpeeled cloves in a medium metal mixing bowl. Invert a similar sized bowl on top. Hold the 2 bowls together and shake like crazy for a minute or so. Most of the cloves should be peeled. Remove the peeled ones and repeat the process with the rest.

Abigail

I made this last night and it turned out great!

When I went to make the dip, I noticed I had only a half cup of mayo, so I used low fat Greek yogurt for the other half cup. The flavor of the dip was stronger than it likely is normally, but it was great -- healthier, too!

Ellen

Seltzer could be used in place of the beer. Like the beer, it provides liquid to make the batter and carbonation to keep it light.

Eric Phillips

The first time I made this I roasted the garlic as directed, but it turned out overdone. The second time I just sliced the tops off two heads of garlic, placed on foil, drizzled generously with olive oil and salt, wrapped it up and roasted 40 minutes at 350. When cooled, squeezed into a bowl and proceeded as directed. This seemed easier, and the results were fantastic. This is a great recipe!

Cathy

You can "roast" the garlic on the stovetop. Place in a small pan, cover with olive oil, Heat until to just starting to bubble, lower heat, and cook over very low heat until garlic is slightly golden and softened throughout. No need to heat the oven.

Chef55

After making this several times (since it is our kids' declared favorite food), I used it as a base recipe to clean out the fridge and used open bags of shredded cheese and roasted corn (which I shaved off the cob). They were no less delicious.

AG

Added 1/2 cup of onions - kinda taste like yummy summer latkes!

Eddie

I didn't have summer squash, so I substituted that with half a cup grated carrot and half a cup zucchini.

The dip seemed a bit heavy, to me. Next time I'll probably change half the mayo to sour cream or yogurt.

However, very nice stuff, although I prefer it at room temperature, not hot.

Kate

All purpose gluten free flour would be a good substitute, straight rice flour may cause the edges to burn quickly when they are fried. Make sure to substitute gluten free beer as well!

ciaobella

Too much mayo for me. subbed half sour cream. Also tried with Greek yogurt. Adjusted amounts and added other veggies to the fritters. Liked the idea as a summer appetizer.

Lynne

Made the sauce. Under time constraints, so used garlic-inflused oil and a little garlic powder instead of the roasted garlic. We really liked the sauce. Very flavorful.

Thought the fritters were very bland. Should have added herbs, as quaasam recommended. Cheese not at all noticeable. Think a stronger flavored cheese, like parmesan or romano, would have been much better.

Doubt I'll make the fritters again, but might keep the sauce recipe and use with crudités.

Robert Laflèche

Typo: "was drawn by the combination ..."
Addendum: even better the next day. Will make again for sure..

Robert Laflèche

Never heard of Mr Venable. Must be the only one!
But couldn't help but try this one out. Was down by the combination of ingredients. Did not find yellow squash so used 2 cups of zucchini. Otherwise followed the recipe. Turned out quite good.
Enjoyed by all.

Barbara Grant

Used half gruyere instead of cheddar, added some lemon zest to sauce/substituted sour cream. Still needs a bit of something else - maybe goat cheese or feta in the sauce. But lovely way to use zucchini/squash!

cynthia

A surprise hit! Dairy allergy so used vegan cheddar - still great. Didn’t feel like roasting garlic, used a couple of cloves of raw - still great. Had a bunch of bumpy yellow squash given to us by kind neighbor - still great. Wonderful recipe and enjoyed by all. Would absolutely make again.

julia

This was a terrific recipe. I followed some of the suggestions here, and almost doubled the cheddar amount. I used yellow summer squash from the garden only. I pan cooked the garlic for the aioli. We serve this for a July 4 celebration along with a lot of other food. It was gobbled up right away! I will definitely make this one again.

Jessica

Make fritters using a teaspoon not a tablespoon. Smaller is better.

Carlotta

These came out delicious and crispy. I scooped the seeds out of the zucchini/squash b/c that's where the moisture comes from. Delicious.

Karen

Good. I liked the dipping sauce. I could taste the beer in the fritters! Next time I might dice some of the squash to give the fritters more texture instead of grating all of it. Anyway it was very good. Thanks.

Zapes

This fritter recipe is basically a savory pancake with some grated squash. The batter overpowers the vegetables. Not nearly as good as “Tender Zucchini Fritters with Green Goddess Dressing” over on Epicurious.

Suzanne

I made this recipe as written. Loved it! A fritter reheated with a little bit of sauce and an egg on top the next day was great leftover. Next time I make this, I will roast the garlic heads rather than cloves individually, and chop the onion. I may add other veggies I may add other grated veggies from the fridge.

Christy

The fritters were great- pretty crispy and nicely savory. I liked the bits of cheddar and onion that were mixed throughout. Honestly it could use even more cheddar.I thought the dip was too salty and garlicky. I wanted something more tangy and acidic to cut through the savoriness of the fritters. I think a yogurt sauce with a little pounded garlic mixed in would be better.

Jessica

Centers were too soft. Increase flour decrease beer. Maybe more cheese.

Jessica

Centers were too soft. Add a little flour to squash before mixing in. Reduce beer to half cup. Maybe increase cheese?

David P

the dip is too salty, i'd cut the salt down; otherwise this was a very good recipe

AC

Delicious - had to substitute asparagus for the zucchini and it worked.

Jennifer W

This sauce is incredible - if you make the sauce the day before - the fritters come together quickly for a relatively simple prep recipe. Amazing recipe and a great use for all that extra squash in the summer months! You could use this sauce on many other things - including as a spread for sandwich!

Austen

BEST EVER!!! Just used pre-minced garlic. And can try Greek yogurt instead of mayo next time.

Private notes are only visible to you.

Summer Squash Fritters With Garlic Dipping Sauce Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you make fritters less soggy? ›

Batter consistency is key to good fritters. If too runny, add a touch of extra flour (otherwise fritters soggy inside). If way too thick, add a touch of water.

Why is my fried squash soggy? ›

How do you keep fried squash from getting soggy? If the oil isn't hot enough, then you won't be able to form a nice crust on the outside. Making sure there is a nice sizzle in the pan when you add the squash will ensure a nice crust.

Is fried squash healthy? ›

Health benefits of oven fried squash

When deep frying foods, extra calories and saturated fat is added to the food (although amount varies per food type). 1 Oven frying the squash, on the other hand, saves us those unwanted nutrients that do not provide any health benefits without sacrificing the taste.

How do you keep fritters crispy? ›

Keep the food warm in the oven.

If you're not serving fried food immediately, you'll need to keep it warm to prevent it from getting cold and losing crispiness. One way to do this is to place the fried food on a wire rack in the oven at a low temperature, around 200°F to 250°F.

Does baking soda make fritters crispy? ›

Is baking soda or powder best for frying? A pinch of baking soda can help produce crispy fried foods. It reacts with the acid in the batter to create carbon dioxide bubbles. These lead to an airy batter and a crisper, fluffier result.

How do you keep squash from getting soggy? ›

Salt and drain zucchini

Salting and draining ensures the zucchini doesn't turn into a soggy mess while frying. This method also works for roasted zucchini, grilled zucchini, or baked zucchini if you're looking to remove as much water as possible.

How do you cook squash and zucchini without it getting mushy? ›

The secret to zucchini with the best flavor and texture is roasting it in a 450°F oven. Roasting zucchini at a high temperature instead of baking or sautéing helps develop browning and a slight char on the outside, which keeps it from getting soggy.

How do you fix wet squash? ›

However, in even a small oven you can reduce wateriness by just stabbing the squash halves/quarters all over with a long-tined fork. This allows moisture to evaporate out of the squash more quickly and gets you a nice, firm flesh without too much mushiness.

When should you not eat squash? ›

How to avoid toxic squash syndrome. Due to the intense and unpleasant bitterness of plants with a high cucurbitacin concentration, you can usually tell when squash is bad. If you take a bite of squash and notice a nasty taste, spit it out and throw it away.

Can you eat too much squash? ›

While the high beta-carotene content in squash can provide many benefits, studies also suggest that consuming too much of this compound can increase the risk of lung cancer. In addition, some types of prepared squash include high amounts of added sugar.

Are squash healthier than potatoes? ›

Exhibit B: While both are high in B vitamins, the squash is higher in folate, a must in the diets future and soon-to-be mamas, as well as mega-antioxidant vitamin E, and bone-building calcium. However, the squash must concede when it comes to fiber content, with the sweet potato taking first place (4 grams vs.

What to do with too many yellow squash? ›

Here are a few we thought you all might enjoy.
  1. Squash Souffle.
  2. Yellow Squash Tots with Garlicky Yogurt Dip.
  3. Stuffed Summer Squash with Dill & Feta.
  4. Creamy Summer Squash Soup.
  5. Summer Squash & Tomato Stir Fry.
  6. Herb & Cheddar Squash Bread.
  7. Oven-Roasted Squash.
  8. Summer Squash Gratin.
Jul 13, 2021

Is it OK to eat the skin of yellow squash? ›

Wash squash and cut off ends before eating. The peel is edible and mild. Squash can be eaten raw or cooked.

Can I freeze summer squash? ›

Prepare and cut the summer squash as desired, then blanch in boiling water for 30-60 seconds. Once blanched, pluge the squash into an ice bath. Drain and freeze. Slices or Pieces: Summer squash slices, cubes, or pieces come in handy for sautés, soups, stir-fry, and casseroles.

Why are my potato fritters soggy? ›

If your potato fritters are soggy, it's likely because too much liquid remained in your vegetables or the oil and skillet weren't hot enough. A hot skillet with hot oil is how you keep potato pancakes crispy.

Why are my fritters wet? ›

Why fritters are soggy. The most common causes for soggy fritters are too much batter (basic flour and egg batter like used in pancakes will never cook up crispy), and whatever you're frittering leeches too much water when cooking.

How to fix doughy fritters? ›

The overcooked exterior and undercooked interior indicates that your oil temperature is too high or your fritters are too large. You should be able to solve your problem by frying at a lower temperature and/or making the fritters smaller.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Gregorio Kreiger

Last Updated:

Views: 6150

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (77 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Gregorio Kreiger

Birthday: 1994-12-18

Address: 89212 Tracey Ramp, Sunside, MT 08453-0951

Phone: +9014805370218

Job: Customer Designer

Hobby: Mountain biking, Orienteering, Hiking, Sewing, Backpacking, Mushroom hunting, Backpacking

Introduction: My name is Gregorio Kreiger, I am a tender, brainy, enthusiastic, combative, agreeable, gentle, gentle person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.