You are probably asking yourself…what is this…Apple Firtters Italian Style? No…the recipe doesn’t have basil or tomatoes in it…but it does have the secret ingredient in my Grandma’s Zeppole in it and that is Ricotta Cheese!
My Grand Ma’s Zeppole is one of The Cottage Markets most popular post! They are quick…easy…authentic and delicious! So I got to thinking…how would the base of this recipe translate into some scrumptious Apple Fritters for the Fall and Winter season? The answer is that it worked beautifully and oh so deliciously!!! By adding a yummy saute combination of tart apples…cinnamon…butter…brown sugar and love…these Italian treats turned into an America Classic! Hmmm…but what can put them over the top…
a Caramel Dipping Sauce…that’s what! WOW…these little fritters of light and fluffy fried dough loaded with apple goodness…dipped in this oh so yummy sauce…are a little piece of Heaven.
You are going to want to dip and pop these Italian Apple Fritters all day long and let me tell you …the kids are going to go crazy for them! I am thinking of making them fresh right at the Thanksgiving Table this year. After the table is cleared and people are chilling with a cup of something yummy…can you imagine the smiles if you began making these right in front of them! The air filling up with cinnamon and apple aroma’s! MMMMMM! A new tradition is born!
So! Are you Hungry? Want to try these little morsels of goodness!
First let’s start with the
Apple Filling:
1 large Granny Smith Apple or Apple of your choice (diced small and sprinkled with fresh lemon juice)
2 tablespoons of butter
2 tablespoons of brown sugar (light or dark)
a pinch of salt
1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
Zest of 1 lemon
2 teaspoons of flour
Directions:
1. Melt your butter
2. Add your apples and mix them nicely with the butter
3. Add the salt…sugar and cinnamon and stir
3. Now saute the apples for about 5 minutes till they are nice and soft
4. If you need to…sprinkle the mixture with some flour and stir to thicken the mixture…you just don’t want it to be to wet.
5. Cool and put aside (you can make the apples a day a head of time with no problem!
Now for the Fritter batter…it is almost exactly the same as the Grandma’s Zeppole
Apple Fritters:
Ingredients:
2 eggs
1 1/3 cup of unsifted flour
1 level tablespoon of baking powder
pinch of salt
1/4 cup of granulated sugar
1 cup of whole milk ricotta cheese (1/2 lb)
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Cinnamon Sugar for sprinkling (1/2 cup of granulated sugar and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon or more if you like!)
Canola or vegetable oil for frying (this is oil you can reuse…just store it in a mason jar when you are done : ) Just pour the oil 2 inches high in whatever frying pan you are using.
Directions:
This is as easy as making a pancake batter!
Crack your two eggs into the mixing bowl and beat until foamy. Add all of your dry ingredients into the eggs in the mixing bowl while on slow speed and then add your ricotta and vanilla right away. Continue to mix on a slow speed till it is all combined. The batter will be thick…creamy and sticky. It is not a cookie dough consistency…it is a rich thick waffle type batter. Do not over mix. Now fold your apple mixture into the batter (DO NOT use the mixer…gently fold)
Have your oil ready in your favorite fry pan. I use a cast iron skillet which I fill up about 2 inches high. Your oil should be approximately 375 degrees. Or as Grandma use to say…hot…she didn’t use a thermometer and I have to be honest neither did my Mom or nor to I : )  I use a small melon ball scoop …first I spray it with oil so that batter doesn’t stick …then scoop up the batter (no exact measurement here : ) and carefully drop it into the oil…repeat with consecutive scoops but don’t let them touch…turn them a few times for even browning and you are talking about 3 minutes…if they are a little bigger…a little longer…but once you get to that nice deep golden brown it is time to scoop them up and place them on brown paper or paper towels to drain.  You won’t believe how NOT oily they are! Continue with another batch, Sprinkle with Confectioners sugar or maybe some Cinnamon Sugar and by the way…they are even delicious plain! You don’t have to serve these warm…but I highly recommend it sometimes because they are just over the top when they are warm and fresh!  These would be such a treat at Holiday gatherings or for tonight’s treat!
Here’s a little suggestion so you know exactly how long to cook them for…make a test one and break it open…then…eat it : ) Then let the batches BEGIN!!! Literally you can go from batter to serving in less than 30 minutes!
It’s time to grab a hot cup of cider and celebrate the Season!!!
(((((HUGS)))))
