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Tomatokeftedes

Tomatokeftedes (Fried Santorini tomato balls / tomato fritters)

Bushra
A traditional Greek appetizer from Santorini made with fresh tomatoes, herbs, and feta cheese, fried until golden brown.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Greek
Servings 6 tomato balls
Calories 125 kcal

Equipment

  • Frying pan

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 200 grams tomatoes, finely chopped Ideally use vine ripened tomatoes to get maximum flavour
  • 200 grams tomatoes, grated
  • 200 grams feta cheese smashed
  • 1/2 cup red onion grated
  • 2 tbsp parsley finely chopped
  • 10 spearmint leaves finely chopped
  • 6-7 basil leaves finely chopped
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 cup flour or slightly more if mixture is too loose
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1 egg
  • salt and freshly ground pepper
  • oil for frying

Instructions
 

  • Cut the tomatoes into 4 pieces, and with a spoon remove the flesh. Chop the flesh of the tomatoes, into small cubes, place in a colander, strain them and add sprinkle of salt. Add the grated tomatoes and mix together. Leave them for 30 minutes.
  • Into a bowl, combine the chopped tomatoes, the onions, the egg and mix with a spoon; add the herbs, and the feta cheese, smashed with a fork. In a separate bowl, mix the flour with the baking powder.
  • Add the four mixture to the tomato mixture, whilst stirring with a spoon, until the ingredients are combined and the mixture is firm enough to make the balls. Add a little more flour if needed. Put in the fridge for 30 minutes.
  • In a pan add enough olive oil to cover the bottom of the pan, and heat the oil into medium-high heat. Dip a tablespoon in some water and spoon out some of the mixture into the hot oil. Repeat this procedure until the surface off the pan is comfortably filled. You should dip the spoon in the water every time, so that the dough doesn't stick on it. Fry the tomatokeftedes for about 2-3 minutes on each side, until nicely colored. Place them on paper towel, to absorb the extra olive oil.
  • Enjoy this very best Greek island recipe with some crusted bread, yogurt and a sip of ouzo!

Nutrition

Calories: 125kcalCarbohydrates: 14.1gProtein: 4.4gFat: 6.2gSaturated Fat: 2.9gCholesterol: 14.8mgSodium: 547.4mgFiber: 1.7gSugar: 3.4g
Keyword Greek appetizer, Mediterranean meze, Santorini cuisine, tomato fritters, vegetarian snacks
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