A proper way to announce spring ? A perfect accompaniment ? Vegetarian peasant food ? A healthy alternative ? All of the above. They’re great as is, as a snack or an appetizer with a drink, as a side dish with eggs (sunny-side up preferably) or simply served with a salad for a light meal. So many possibilities and easy to partly make and freeze in advance. And the full name is “kremidotiganites” which means onion fritters or patties or mini pancakes.

Initially, these savory pancakes are only made with spring or green onions or scallions but I like to use up all the little ends and bits of vegetables that I have laying around, that I add to the onions. Some carrot and some celery usually and sometimes some leek or fennel. All you need to do is replace a part of that green onion quantity with whatever you have available, to complexify the taste and turn these onion fritters into onion and vegetable fritters. And the fresh aromatic herbs, of which you need a lot of, play an important role so the more the better ! Mint is the most important, then add some dill and parsley too and some chives, and why not some basil or oregano, if you have them too.

Obviously, the lengthiest part of the recipe is slicing and grating the vegetables so why not make 4 times as much and freeze the mixed grated vegetables and chopped herbs in individual freezer bags that can contain 125 grams or 1 cup of the vegetable and herb mixture ? 

Adding crumbled feta is an extra flavoring instead of serving the fritters or pancakes with a side dish of slices of feta cheese. You’ll just be combining things all in one and using some of the feta brine in the water and vinegar mixture for the batter will make them even tastier.

I also use little pastry rings set right inside the frying pan to shape the savory pancakes until one side is cooked and then I remove them to flip them over gently and fry the other side, that way each shape is identical and of the same weight.

You can make them at the last minute and serve them hot. You can make them ahead and serve them at room temperature or you can heat them up in a preheated oven for 5 minutes to get them warm again. 

Announce the spring (or coax it along) & celebrate Greek Independence Day (yesterday March 25th) with some homemade “tiganites” … :)