Zucchini Pancakes with Basil Chive Cream

I love potato pancakes (latkes) and these were a delicious variation…. a great way to use all that beautiful summer zucchini! They don’t get quite as crispy as potatoes do, but I thought the flavor was delicious. Topped with the basil chive cream, yum! We substituted plain yogurt for the sour cream, and it was still a cool and delicious topping.

We think it’d be fun to do a “mixed veg” pancake, a little zucchini, yellow squash, sweet potato… it’d be pretty that’s for sure!

Zucchini Pancakes with Basil Chive Cream

Makes approx. 15-20. Recipe from Epicurious.

Ingredients
For basil chive cream
3/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons water
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste

For pancakes
4 cups coarsely grated zucchini (1 lb)
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 large egg whites
4 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil

Directions
Make basil chive cream:
Blend sour cream, water, basil, chives, and salt in a blender until smooth and pale green. Chill until ready to serve.

Make pancakes:
Put zucchini in a colander and toss with salt. Let stand at room temperature 20 minutes, then wrap zucchini in a kitchen towel and twist towel to wring out as much liquid as possible. Transfer zucchini to a large bowl and stir in flour, sugar, and pepper.

Beat egg whites with a pinch of salt using an electric mixer until they just hold stiff peaks, then gently fold into zucchini mixture.

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 10-inch nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking. Working in batches of 5, spoon 2 tablespoons batter per pancake into skillet, flattening slightly with back of spoon. Cook pancakes, turning once, until golden brown, about 3 minutes total, transferring as cooked to paper towels to drain and adding more oil to skillet as necessary.

Serve immediately, with basil chive cream.