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Asparagus Fritters

I love asparagus and cook it many different ways, and on my visit with the Maugeri family, one of the oldest and largest family produce farms in New Jersey, I discovered this delicious recipe. I was told it is a family recipe handed down through three generations, and I am delighted they shared it with me so I can share it with you.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes 10 to 12 fritters

Ingredients

2 bunches medium asparagus spears, peeled at the base (about 22 spears)
5 large eggs
1/2 cup grated Grana Padano or Parmigiano-Reggiano
1/2 small onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup fine dry bread crumbs
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
Vegetable oil, for frying

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the asparagus spears, and cook until tender but not mushy, about 8 minutes. Drain, and rinse under cold water to cool them down. Drain and dry the spears, and cut into 1/2-inch pieces.

    Step 2

    Whisk together the eggs, grated cheese, onion, bread crumbs, flour, and salt in a large bowl. Stir in the asparagus pieces.

    Step 3

    Heat 1/2 inch vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. (The oil is ready when a drop of batter sizzles on contact.) Drop 1/4-cup rounds of the asparagus batter into the hot oil, flattening if necessary, to make flat cakes. Cook until golden on the underside, about 2 minutes, then flip, and fry until the fritters are cooked through, about 2 minutes more. Drain the fritters on paper towels, and season with salt.

Cover of the cookbook featuring the author with a table full of fresh herbs and vegetables.
Reprinted with permission from Lidia's Italy in America by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich and Tanya Bastianich Manuali. Copyright © 2011 by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich and Tanya Bastianich Manuali. Excerpted by permission of Knopf, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. Buy the full book from Amazon or Bookshop.
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