Gluten-Free Is Me: Summer Squash and Cornmeal Cakes

It’s been a while since I last posted a recipe on FMP, and I hate to leave you hungry.

Especially if you get as cranky as I do…

The plate is still half full in these parts. There’s been lots of excitement behind the scenes – a lot of excitement that I am not yet allowed to tell you about. I’m back from my cross-country travels and been trying to ease back into day-to-day life. My inbox is now a pile, not a mountain. But sitting at the computer has been a chore.

Luckily, I’ve been doing a lot of simple summer cooking as a form of relaxation and procrastination. And I’m returning to my keyboard to bring this recipe for summer squash and cornmeal cakes to you.

I’m always looking for new and interesting spins on this recipe for zucchini and scallion cakes. In this version, using a combination of zucchini and summer squash, I decided to substitute a combination of cornmeal and white rice flour to make them gluten-free. The result is a little bit more akin to a corn cake than a fritter, which makes for a great hardy vegetarian lunch if doubled or tripled in size. I served them in bite-sized form to a few of my parent’s friends topped with a dollop of mayo and a sprinkling of baby arugula and pickled radishes.

I promise a vague update with some images from my adventure in the coming days. But I didn’t want to give you deets on an empty stomach. So…

Eat up!

Xo
P

Summer Squash and Cornmeal Cakes

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These little cakes make for some fab finger food, or just a light vegetarian lunch. I topped mine with a little baby arugula and pickled radishes to add crunch and color. But they'd also taste great with just a dollop of good homemade aioli. You can substitute regular flour for the rice flour if you aren't eating gluten-free.

Author Phoebe Lapine

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cups coarsely grated zucchini about 1 medium
• 1 ½ cups coarsely grated yellow squash about 1 medium
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 3 large eggs beaten
• ¼ cup ground yellow cornmeal
• 3 tablespoons white rice flour or regular AP flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Vegetable oil

Instructions

• Mix together the grated squashes, tarragon, lemon juice and zest, and egg in a medium bowl. Stir in the cornmeal, flour, and salt until just combined.
• Meanwhile heat a thin layer of vegetable oil in a large cast iron skillet over a medium-high flame. When the oil is hot, add the batter in tablespoon-fuls to the pan, making sure not to crowd the cakes. You should be able to fry about 8 at a time, depending on the size of your pan. Press each mound of zucchini down with the back of your spatula to form flat little patties, about 2-inches in diameter. Cook until golden brown on the first side, about 1 to 2 minutes, and then flip and cook until crispy on the second side.
• Remove the cooked cakes to a paper towel to drain. Add more oil as necessary, and repeat with the remaining batter.
• Serve the cakes with a dollop of aioli and garnish with some fresh herbs, lettuce, or pickled veg - radishes worked great!

If you make this, tag @phoebelapine and #feedmephoebe - I'd love to see it!

This post is brought to you, along with many other fabulous summer squash recipes, as part of Food Network Summerfest. Check out the recipes from other participating sites below!

Jeanette’s Healthy Living: Quick and Easy Sesame Summer Squash Stir-Fry
Cooking With Elise: Orange Summer Squash Bread
Feed Me Phoebe: Summer Squash and Cornmeal Cakes With Tarragon
Chez Us: Zucchini Pancakes With Minty Dill Crème Fraiche
And Love It, Too: Peter Pan Squash Spiced Oven Fries
Made By Michelle: Pattypan Squash and Tomato Frittata
Cooking Channel: Our  Top 5 Favorite Squash Recipes
Daily*Dishin: Summer Squash Confetti Salad
Delicious Lean: Summer Squash Ribbons With Feta and Pine Nuts
Napa Farmhouse 1885: Summer Squash Chips
Ingredients, Inc.: Summer Squash and Kale Sauté
Thursday Night Dinner: Summer Squash Medley
Sweet Life Bake: Zucchini Fried With Tequila-Spiked Avocado Dip
Dixie Chik Cooks: Fried Summer Squash Parmesan Sliders
Healthy Eats: Summer Squash Any Way You Slice It
FN Dish: Cheesy Summer Squash