Eat: More zucchini patties please!

Kalev's zucchini patty, bite already taken

We've been joking lately that with all this amazing local, organic fruit that Kalev has become a fruitarian, with some cheese and crackers on the side. But last week he said "Ima, can I have another zucchini patty?" Say what?! I have made various zucchini tots from recipes over the last year or so and while I've thought they were okay, Kalev had no interest. But this time I just put some ingredients together myself and apparently it was a hit. I've made them three times since, per his request. When a preschooler asks for more vegetables you listen :-) Actually, when I can find a vegetable snack I truly enjoy, I listen too. I will be honest that I think these are best fresh out of the oven but Kalev doesn't mind them being reheated. Toaster is better than microwave. He'd even eat them cold.

The key to this version is the sesame seeds. The other versions I've tried all seemed more mushy. I think the bread crumbs and the sesame seeds add more texture and crunch, not to mention taste and nutrients (some iron and calcium, among other nutrients, which is always great to find for vegetarians).

This snack is quick to make and most parts can involve your little helper. Kalev loves watching the food processor work and also really enjoys stirring. And anything that involves scooping and dumping is always a plus. It can also be easily made with a baby in a front pack, or held on the hip, except for molding the patties. And for me, cracking the eggs. My husband has gotten the crack-one-egg-while-holding-baby skill down.

I didn't measure when we made them, and had to change the amounts when Kalev asked for them two days later and I had less zucchini. So it can really be up to you and what taste and texture works for you. Always good when you don't have to follow a recipe exactly and things still turn out fine :-)

For us, the recipe looked mostly like:

4 zucchinis

1.5 c shredded cheddar cheese

3/4 c bread crumbs

1/2 c sesame seeds

Salt

Pepper

2 eggs

Grate zucchini. We always leave skins on and use our food processor. It takes about 10 seconds. Combine zucchini and the rest of the ingredients in a bowl. Add more of whatever you want (we really like cheese mmmmm). Scoop balls of mix into your hands, then flatten gently and place on oiled cookie sheet. Cook at 400 degrees for 15 minutes. Yum!