I stumbled upon this brilliant recipe when looking for ways to use leftover rice, and it’s become one of my favorite quick meals. These crispy patties combine the heartiness of rice with the freshness of zucchini, creating perfect little bites that are crispy outside and tender inside. It’s amazing how two simple ingredients can transform into something so delicious.
Ingredients
Base Ingredients
- 1 cup (200g) white rice, cooked
- 2 medium zucchini (about 400g)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons (20g) all-purpose flour
Seasonings
- 1 red sweet pepper, finely diced
- 1 red hot pepper, minced (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
1. Prepare the Rice
- If using fresh rice:
- Rinse rice until water runs clear
- Cook according to package instructions
- Let cool completely
- If using leftover rice:
- Bring to room temperature
- Break up any clumps
2. Prepare the Vegetables
- Grate zucchini using large holes of box grater
- Place in clean kitchen towel
- Squeeze out excess moisture thoroughly
- Finely chop onion
- Dice sweet and hot peppers
3. Create the Mixture
- In a large bowl combine:
- Cooled rice
- Squeezed zucchini
- Chopped onion
- Diced peppers
- Add egg and mix well
- Sprinkle in flour
- Season with salt
- Mix until thoroughly combined
4. Form and Cook Patties
- Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat
- Scoop ¼ cup mixture per patty
- Flatten to ½-inch thickness
- Fry 2-3 minutes per side until golden
- Drain on paper towels
Recipe Notes
- Squeezing zucchini is crucial for crispy patties
- Cold rice works better than warm
- Don’t overcrowd the pan while frying
- Test one patty first to check seasoning
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerate up to 3 days
- Freeze uncooked patties up to 1 month
- Reheat in skillet for best texture
Nutritional Information
Per serving (4 patties):
- Calories: 245
- Protein: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
- Sodium: 380mg
- Potassium: 425mg
- Iron: 1.5mg
Time Requirements
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Servings: 4 (12 patties)
Serving Suggestions
Dipping Sauces
- Garlic Yogurt Sauce:
- Greek yogurt
- Minced garlic
- Fresh herbs
- Pinch of salt
- Quick Sriracha Mayo:
- Mayo
- Sriracha
- Lime juice
Side Dishes
- Fresh green salad
- Roasted vegetables
- Cucumber and tomato salad
Pro Tips
- Make sure zucchini is very well drained
- Use cold rice for better binding
- Don’t flip patties too early
- Keep patties uniform size for even cooking
- Test oil temperature with a small amount of mixture
These rice and zucchini patties are perfect for:
- Quick weeknight dinners
- Party appetizers
- Kid-friendly meals
- Lunch box items
- Using up leftover rice
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and adaptability. Feel free to adjust the seasonings to your taste or add different herbs and spices to create your own signature version.
