These Zucchini Chickpea Fritters are made with shredded zucchini and chickpeas for a filling and nutritious side or snack. They’re also allergen-free!

Zucchini Chickpea Fritters with Red Onion Marmalade on Plate with Fork

Despite an allergy to raw pineapple that I developed a couple years ago, I’ve never had any allergy restrictions when it comes to food. When I’d go out to eat and servers would ask me if I had any allergies, I always answered no, never thinking twice about it.

Life in the past couple months has been different, as we’ve come to the bottom of a vomiting problem that James has been having, and the majority of the problem seems to be some food intolerances of his own (and I say “intolerances” because it’s not clear if they’re allergies or not at this age).

Since I’m nursing James, this has led me to do some elimination tests in my own diet. As I went through the testing period, I discovered what it’s like to not be able to eat certain foods. I always imagined how challenging it is for people with food allergies, and I’ve gotten a new level of empathy for the effort it takes.

Chickpea Zucchini Patties - On Plate with Red Onion Marmalade

If you have any food allergies of your own, I want to introduce you to my friend Heather Christo. Today’s recipe is from her book Pure Delicious, which has over 150 allergen-free recipes without gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, or cane sugar.

Heather Christo Headshot and Pure Delicious Book Cover

A couple years ago, Heather discovered that she and her daughters have a ton of food allergies that were causing them health problems, and they all had to change their diets completely. She writes in the book about what it was like to immediately give up so many of their favorite foods, and how she had to put her skills as a chef and recipe developer to work, to make delicious and creative recipes that met their new needs.

I think the biggest hurdles to having food allergies are not feeling like you’re missing out on anything, and keeping out of cooking ruts where you’re eating the same thing all the time. I know this is where Heather is appreciated by the food allergy community and beyond, by sharing recipes that aren’t subpar substitutes for allergen foods, but rather delicious dishes in their own right.

From the book, I’ve made her Greek Lemon, Chicken, and Rice Soup, the Beet Hummus (SO GOOD!), Lemon Artichoke Hummus, Shredded Beef Tostadas, Crunchy Taco Salad with Spiced Ground Turkey, and these Zucchini Chickpea Fritters. I can honestly say that I loved each one, and I say that as someone who has no food allergies (well, aside from raw pineapple, but it’s easy to avoid that one).

Let me show you how to make the Zucchini Chickpea Fritters!

To get started, shred up some zucchini. If you’ve got a food processor, it’s perfect for the job:

Shredded Zucchini in Food Processor

Remove the shredded zucchini to a bowl, then puree canned chickpeas until it forms a (mostly) smooth paste:

Ground Up Chickpeas in Food Processor Bowl

In a large bowl, combine the shredded zucchini, the pureed chickpeas, and chopped yellow onion:

Onion, Zucchini, and Chickpea Paste in Bowl

Mix this all together with clean hands until it’s combined. It may seem at first like it won’t come together, but I was amazed by how cohesive it is once mixed:

Mixed Shredded Zucchini Chickpea Patty Dough

Form the zucchini chickpea mixture into 10 cakes, then dip into seasoned chickpea flour:

Chickpea Fritter Puck on Chickpea Flour on Plate

Fry the fritters in hot oil for 2-3 minutes on each side:

Frying the Zucchini Chickpea Patties in Oil in Skillet

The fritters should be golden brown:

Golden Brown Zucchini Chickpea Fritters in Oil in Skillet

Once you’ve fried all the zucchini chickpea cakes, place them on a sheet pan and finish baking them in the oven:

Golden Brown Zucchini Chickpea Fritters on Sheet Pan

Heather serves the fritters with a side of red onion marmalade, which I have to say is a *must* when you’re making these. It’s really easy to make. Basically just cook down some red onion in a skillet with oil, vinegar, sugar, and water:

Red Onion Marmalade in Skillet

Serve on a platter and enjoy while hot!

Stacked Chickpea Zucchini Fritters on Platter with Red Onion Marmalade on Side

Also check out my Ultimate Guide to Zucchini! It covers how to store zucchini, how to pick a good one at the grocery, and 60+ recipe ideas using zucchini.

Zucchini Chickpea Fritters with Red Onion Marmalade on Plate with Fork

Zucchini Chickpea Fritters with Red Onion Marmalade

These Zucchini Chickpea Fritters are made with shredded zucchini and chickpeas for a filling and nutritious side or snack.
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Ingredients

Red Onion Marmalade:

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large red onion thinly sliced
  • kosher salt
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp granulated beet sugar (I used regular sugar)

Zucchini Chickpea Fritters

  • 1 15-ounce can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1/2 yellow onion finely diced
  • 3 cups shredded zucchini
  • 1/2 cup garbanzo bean flour
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • vegetable oil for frying

Instructions 

  • To make the red onion marmalade: In a nonstick pan or heavy skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and sprinkle with salt. Stir and cook until tender and translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Add 1 cup water and cook for 10 minutes more, until the onion is very soft and the water has cooked off. Add the vinegar and sprinkle the onions with the sugar. Stir well and cook for 2 to 3 minutes more, until the vinegar has cooked off completely. Season with salt and set aside.
  • To make the zucchini chickpea fritters: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • To a food processor, add the chickpeas and pulse until they are a thick paste. Transfer the beans to a large bowl and add the onion and zucchini. Use clean hands to mix well, then form the mixture into 10 cakes. Set aside.
  • On a plate, combine the garbanzo bean flour and the salt. Gently dredge each cake in the flour, patting it onto all sides of the cake.
  • In a heavy pan or skillet, over medium-high heat add enough vegetable oil to cover the bottom of the pan. Add 3 or 4 cakes at a time and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side,  until the cakes are golden. Transfer the cakes to a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until hot and a deeper golden color.
  • Serve hot, with the red onion marmalade.

Nutrition

Calories: 114kcal, Carbohydrates: 16g, Protein: 5g, Fat: 3g, Sodium: 126mg, Potassium: 279mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 85IU, Vitamin C: 7.6mg, Calcium: 31mg, Iron: 1.7mg

Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.