Zucchini-Lentil Fritters With Lemony Yogurt

Ingredients

• ¾ cup whole-milk yogurt
• 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• ½ tsp. sugar
• Kosher salt
• 1 cup red lentils (masoor dal)
• 1 medium zucchini (about 5 oz.)
• ½ medium onion, thinly sliced
• 1¾ tsp. kosher salt, divided, plus more
• ½ tsp. Kashmiri chile powder or ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
• ¼ tsp. ground turmeric
• 1 cup parsley leaves with tender stems
• 1 Tbsp. finely grated lemon zest
• 1 cup ghee or neutral vegetable oil

Instructions

1. 1

   Whisk yogurt, lemon juice, and sugar in a small bowl to combine. Season with salt.

2. 2

   Do Ahead: Yogurt can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.

3. 3

   Rinse lentils, then soak in 2 cups water at room temperature at least 1 hour and up to 12 hours. (Soaking the lentils makes them tender and a lot easier to blend.)

4. 4

   Meanwhile, trim ends of zucchini and cut crosswise into 3 pieces about 2" long. Cut each piece lengthwise into ¼"-thick planks. Stack a few planks and slice lengthwise into ¼"-thick matchsticks (about the size of a skinny french fry). Transfer zucchini to a colander set in a medium bowl. Add onion and 1 tsp. salt and toss to combine. Let sit until vegetables look wilted and softened and about 1 Tbsp. liquid has released into bowl, 30 minutes to 2 hours. Gently pat dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture.

5. 5

   Drain lentils and transfer to a food processor. Add chile powder, turmeric, and ¾ tsp. salt. Pulse, scraping down sides, until a purée forms. Transfer to a medium bowl and add zucchini and onion, parsley, and lemon zest. Toss with a rubber spatula to combine.

6. 6

   Line a rimmed baking sheet with paper towels; set a wire rack inside. Heat ghee in a medium cast-iron skillet over medium-high until a pinch of batter added to the pan sizzles and sputters. Using a large spoon, scoop out about ¼ cup batter, then use a second large spoon dipped in the hot ghee to carefully scrape into pan; flatten with ghee-coated spoon. Repeat to make 3 more fritters. Fry until deep golden brown underneath, about 3 minutes. Turn over with a wide slotted spatula and fry until deep golden brown on the second side, about 3 minutes. Transfer fritters to prepared rack to drain; season immediately with salt. Repeat with remaining batter (you end up with 8–10 fritters total).

7. 7

   Transfer fritters to a platter. Serve with lemony yogurt alongside.