This is a recipe for a “Vollwert” Fasching party, for people who are trying to eat healthy. Now, nothing is going to make deep-frying healthy. But here we use whole wheat and date sugar in the pumpkin fritters to increase the fiber and eliminate the white sugar, so just maybe, you will allow yourself to indulge.
Makes about 8 fritters.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1/2 c. canned pumpkin
- 1/2 c. date sugar (ground dates, available at health food stores)
- 1 egg
- 1/4 c. white wine
- Zest from 1 lemon
- 1 c. whole wheat pastry flour
- 1/4 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. double -acting baking powder
- 1 T. pine nuts
- 2 T. grated organic chocolate 70% cocoa (optional)
- 1 T. raisins
- Cinnamon for dusting
Preparation:
Start heating at least 3 inches of oil in a pan or deep fat fryer. Allow another 3 inches headroom in fryer for foaming and fritters. You will want your thermometer to read 365°F when you are frying.
Mix pumpkin with date sugar, egg, wine and lemon zest. Stir dry ingredients together separately, then mix quickly into wet ingredients. Fold in pine nuts, raisins and chocolate.
Drop fritters in 1/4 cup portions into the hot fat. Check them after 4 minutes and turn them if necessary. Total frying time 8-10 minutes. Remove from fryer and drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
Tip: If the batter becomes too airy before the second batch fries, stir down and then drop into the hot fat. You may also choose to use single-acting baking powder, which activates when heated.
