Crispy Fig & Brocciu Cheese Fritters Delight
(0 Reviews)
Ingredients
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250 grams Brocciu cheese
(Fresh Corsican sheep cheese; substitute: fresh ricotta cheese)
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6 medium Fresh figs
(Green or purple varieties, ripe, tops trimmed)
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80 grams All-purpose flour
(Plain white flour)
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1 large Egg
(Preferably organic, free-range)
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2 tablespoons Fresh chives
(Finely chopped, for color and mild onion flavor)
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1 teaspoon Lemon zest
(Zest of half a lemon, unwaxed)
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1/2 teaspoon Salt
(Fine sea salt preferred)
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1/4 teaspoon Black pepper
(Freshly ground)
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1 teaspoon Baking powder
(Adds lightness and lift)
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80 ml Olive oil
(For shallow frying, plus extra for serving (optional))
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2 teaspoons Honey
(For drizzling over finished fritters)
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20 grams Walnuts
(Lightly crushed, for garnish; can use pecans)
(Fresh Corsican sheep cheese; substitute: fresh ricotta cheese)
(Green or purple varieties, ripe, tops trimmed)
(Plain white flour)
(Preferably organic, free-range)
(Finely chopped, for color and mild onion flavor)
(Zest of half a lemon, unwaxed)
(Fine sea salt preferred)
(Freshly ground)
(Adds lightness and lift)
(For shallow frying, plus extra for serving (optional))
(For drizzling over finished fritters)
(Lightly crushed, for garnish; can use pecans)
Nutrition
- Servings: 4
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approximately 3 fritters, ~180g)
- Calories: 340 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Fat: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
- Calcium: 220 mg
- Iron: 1.7 mg
Instructions
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1 - Prepare Figs & Cheese:
Carefully slice the tops off the fresh figs, then chop each fig into small dice (about 1cm pieces). Place the brocciu cheese in a bowl and break it gently with a fork until loose but lightly creamy.
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2 - Mix the Batter:
In a separate large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and black pepper. Add the egg and whisk until just combined. Fold in the brocciu cheese, lemon zest, chives, and diced figs—mix until a sticky, chunky batter forms. Avoid overmixing.
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3 - Heat the Oil:
Pour olive oil into a large heavy skillet to cover the base by about 0.5 cm. Heat over medium until shimmering—test by dropping a little batter; it should sizzle lightly.
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4 - Form & Fry Fritters:
With a tablespoon, scoop mounds of batter (about 2 tbsp each) and gently add to the skillet, spacing each fritter out. Flatten slightly with the back of a spoon. Fry 2–3 minutes per side, or until golden and crisp. Adjust heat to avoid burning and cook in batches if necessary. Drain on a paper towel.
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5 - Serve:
Serve fritters warm, garnished with a drizzle of honey and scattered walnuts if desired. For extra zing, serve with a green salad or a yogurt sauce on the side.
Carefully slice the tops off the fresh figs, then chop each fig into small dice (about 1cm pieces). Place the brocciu cheese in a bowl and break it gently with a fork until loose but lightly creamy.
In a separate large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and black pepper. Add the egg and whisk until just combined. Fold in the brocciu cheese, lemon zest, chives, and diced figs—mix until a sticky, chunky batter forms. Avoid overmixing.
Pour olive oil into a large heavy skillet to cover the base by about 0.5 cm. Heat over medium until shimmering—test by dropping a little batter; it should sizzle lightly.
With a tablespoon, scoop mounds of batter (about 2 tbsp each) and gently add to the skillet, spacing each fritter out. Flatten slightly with the back of a spoon. Fry 2–3 minutes per side, or until golden and crisp. Adjust heat to avoid burning and cook in batches if necessary. Drain on a paper towel.
Serve fritters warm, garnished with a drizzle of honey and scattered walnuts if desired. For extra zing, serve with a green salad or a yogurt sauce on the side.
More About: Crispy Fig & Brocciu Cheese Fritters Delight
Fig and Brocciu Cheese Fritters: A Taste of the Mediterranean in Every Bite
Fig and Brocciu Cheese Fritters are a delightful fusion of creamy Corsican sheep's cheese and luscious summer figs, pan-fried into golden perfection. This savory-meets-sweet treat reflects the best of Mediterranean farmhouse fare paired with French-inspired comfort food, symbolizing both rusticity and simple innovation.
Background & History:
Fritters, deeply embedded in global culinary traditions, are especially popular around the Mediterranean. While ricotta cheese fritters are well-known throughout Southern Italy and France, Corsica—an island jewel belonging to France—offers the revered brocciu cheese, uniquely fresh and subtle in flavor. Brocciu is a legacy cheese, historically produced by local shepherds and considered a staple for the winter months. Traditionally used in sweet and savory tarts, pasta fillings, or simply enjoyed with fruit, brocciu brightens any recipe with its delicate echo of fresh milk.
Pairing this cheese with figs, one of the Mediterranean’s most cherished late-summer fruits, is both unmistakably Southern French—a delicious meeting of orchard and diary. Figs have been revered since antiquity for their honeyed notes, and in this fritter recipe, their jammy quality yields new delight in every bite.
Unique Aspects:
- Ingredient Highlight: The use of brocciu gives an ultra-creamy texture—you may substitute with fresh ricotta, but brocciu imparts authenticity. Figs melt into little pockets of sweet-tart flavor amidst the cheese.
- Texture & Flavor: Expect a thermic bite when fritters are hot, crispy-edged yet tender in the center, with ribbons of lemon zest and chive cutting their richness. Optional honey and walnuts on top make each mouthful complex and utterly addictive.
- Accessibility: While most ingredients are readily available, true lovers of regional cuisine will enjoy sourcing brocciu from specialty cheese shops.
Serving & Pairing:
Serve these piping-hot as an imaginative starter, a snack for apéro, or part of a brunch spread. They are equally wonderful with green salad (think arugula with balsamic), or juxtaposed with fresh yogurt and herb dips.
Tips & Notes:
- Don’t overmix your batter; gentle folding is key to tender fritters.
- Work quickly with ripe figs—they bleed color and juice if overhandled.
- Fry over moderate rather than high heat to ensure fritters cook through before browning excessively.
- Drain the fritters well post-cooking to keep them crisp.
- For added variety, consider a sprinkle of chopped fresh mint or a dollop of yogurt with lemon zest for serving.
- Leftovers can be reheated in a hot skillet for maximum crispness (not microwaved).
Cultural Significance:
Corsica’s agricultural bounty shines in this blend. Brocciu carries a protected designation of origin (PDO) status, its delicate seasonality tied to the region’s sheep-milking calendar. Figs symbolize both endurance and indulgence in Mediterranean folklore—celebrated as a sign of prosperity and, in French cuisine, as punctuation to rich summer fare.
Personal Thoughts:
There’s special pleasure in working with Mediterranean ingredients where even the simplest combination—fig ripeness, brocciu silkiness—sings with harmony. Fig and Brocciu Cheese Fritters embody more than Nourriture; they manifest summer gatherings, hospitality, and a deep-rooted love for on-the-spot creative cooking. Serve generous handfuls to friends; revel in the marriage of the fragrant, sweet, and savory that sticks in the memory beyond a meal.
Whether you’re transporting your guests to a terrace in Ajaccio or simply brightening a home brunch, this unique fritter recipe is sure to stir the spirit of Mediterranean conviviality!
