Many People Don’t Know What It Means When This Tiny Creature Lands on Them… (And the “Lucky” Garden Recipe You Need to Try)

To honor the patience, stillness, and agricultural good luck that the mantis represents, there is no better way to celebrate than by utilizing the fresh, bright green bounty of a thriving garden.

This recipe for Grandma’s “Lucky Green” Crispy Zucchini & Herb Fritters channels those traditional, comforting culinary roots. It transforms simple, garden-fresh vegetables into an unforgettable side dish that is completely golden and crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside.

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 medium fresh zucchinis: Grated (leave the green skin on for beautiful color).
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour: (Can substitute with chickpea flour for a gluten-free option).
• 2 large eggs: Lightly beaten.
• 3 scallions (green onions): Finely chopped.
• 1/4 cup fresh herbs: A mix of fresh dill and parsley works beautifully.
• 1 clove of garlic: Minced.
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt & 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil or avocado oil: For pan-frying.

Instructions:

1. The Secret to Crispy Fritters (Do Not Skip!): Zucchini holds a massive amount of water. Place your grated zucchini in a colander and toss it with the kosher salt. Let it sit for 10 minutes to draw out the moisture. Then, using a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth, squeeze the grated zucchini as hard as you can to ring out all the excess water. This guarantees a crispy bite!
2. Mix the Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine your perfectly squeezed dry zucchini, beaten eggs, chopped scallions, fresh herbs, minced garlic, and black pepper.
3. Bind it Together: Sprinkle the flour over the wet vegetable mixture. Gently fold everything together with a spatula until the flour is just incorporated and a thick, chunky batter forms.
4. Heat the Skillet: Place a large cast-iron or heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Add your oil and let it heat up until it shimmers.
5. Fry to Golden Perfection: Drop heaping tablespoons of the batter into the hot oil, pressing down gently with the back of the spoon to flatten them into little patties. Fry for 3 to 4 minutes on the first side until deeply golden brown and crisp. Flip carefully and fry for another 2 to 3 minutes.
6. Drain and Serve: Transfer the hot fritters to a plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil. Serve them immediately while they are piping hot, ideally with a dollop of cold sour cream or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice!