Seeds Free Ginger-Turmeric Snapper Cakes with Zucchini

Total time55 min

Prep time20 min

Cook time20 min

4.5

(30)

Seeds Free Ginger-Turmeric Snapper Cakes with Zucchini

These golden fish cakes are bright, aromatic, and genuinely exciting — the kind of weeknight dinner that feels far more special than the effort involved. Fresh red snapper gets hand-chopped for a satisfying chunky texture, then folded with grated zucchini, warm turmeric, zingy fresh ginger, and a handful of cilantro before being pan-fried in coconut oil until deeply golden. Rice flour steps in as the binder here, keeping everything cohesive without relying on any seed-based ingredients, so the whole recipe is naturally free of that concern from start to finish. Wringing the zucchini completely dry is the move that makes these cakes hold together beautifully and develop that crisp, caramelized crust in the skillet. The creamy ricotta dipping sauce — brightened with apple cider vinegar, parsley, and a whisper of turmeric — pulls the whole plate together with a cool, tangy contrast. Whether you're serving these as an appetizer or a full meal, they disappear fast, so you might want to double the batch.

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Ingredients

4 servings

For the cakes

1 lb fresh red snapper fillets, skin removed
1 medium zucchini (about 8 oz), coarsely grated
1 tbsp fresh ginger, finely grated
1 tsp ground turmeric
2 scallions, green tops only, thinly sliced
2 tbsp fresh cilantro, finely chopped
1 large egg, lightly beaten
¼ cup rice flour
¾ tsp salt
3 tbsp coconut oil, divided

For the dipping sauce

¼ cup fresh ricotta
2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
¼ tsp ground turmeric
¼ tsp salt
1–2 tbsp water

Instructions

1
Place the grated zucchini in the center of a clean kitchen towel, gather the edges, and wring firmly over the sink until no more liquid drips out. The zucchini should feel nearly dry to the touch. Set aside.
2
Pat the snapper fillets dry with paper towels, then finely chop them by hand into pieces no larger than 1/4 inch — you want a rough, chunky texture, not a paste. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.

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