makes
30
prep
10 minutes
cook
20 minutes
difficulty
Easy
makes
30
serves
preparation
10
minutes
cooking
20
minutes
difficulty
Easy
level
Ingredients
- 200 g podded peas
- 400 g fresh ricotta
- 50 g grated parmesan
- 1 lemon, zest grated
- 3 eggs
- 1 bunch chives, finely sliced
- 150 g plain flour
- 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
- river salt and black pepper
- vegetable oil, for frying
- lemon wedges, to serve
Instructions
In a pot of boiling salted water, blanch the peas until they are quite soft, then remove and cool them in a bowl of iced water. Drain, let them sit for a minute to shed any extra water and then roughly crush them. I like to use a mortar and pestle but a rolling pin could be an adequate but messier substitute, or lightly pulse in a blender. Set peas aside.
Place the ricotta, parmesan, lemon zest and eggs in a bowl and mix, using a spatula, until just combined but not too smooth. Add the peas and chives and give the mix a few extra turns.
Sift the flour and bicarb into the ricotta mix, season and fold it through until well combined. Check seasoning.
Half-fill a large shallow pot with oil and heat to about 160°C. You don’t want really hot oil, as these fritti like to cook a little slower and longer than usual. Once the oil is at the right temperature, use two kitchen spoons in a dexterous manner to drop spoonfuls of the mix straight into the oil. You will probably need to do this in several batches.
Cook each batch for about 3½ minutes, carefully turning for even colour, as fritti will float to the top. Remove the fritti and place them on paper towel.
Season heavily and serve straightaway with a wedge of lemon.
Photography by Benito Martin
Styling by Jerrie-Joy Redman-Lloyd
Tiles from Onsite Supply and Design; salt dish from The Fortynine Studio.
Styling by Jerrie-Joy Redman-Lloyd
Tiles from Onsite Supply and Design; salt dish from The Fortynine Studio.
Cook's Notes
Oven temperatures are for conventional; if using fan-forced (convection), reduce the temperature by 20˚C. | We use Australian tablespoons and cups: 1 teaspoon equals 5 ml; 1 tablespoon equals 20 ml; 1 cup equals 250 ml. | All herbs are fresh (unless specified) and cups are lightly packed. | All vegetables are medium size and peeled, unless specified. | All eggs are 55-60 g, unless specified.
