Greek-Style Bean Fritters: Fasoulokeftedes

Got beans? These bean fritters are filled with Greek flavors and are super easy to make. In this recipe, I made the fritters (could easily be called patties) with giant lima beans but, feel free to use your favorite canned or dry beans. My pantry is always well-stocked with a variety of beans: canned and dry-uncooked. Since we're still in quarantine, the supermarket trips have been cut short and we're cooking with what we have on hand. Hence, lots of bean recipes will be coming your way!!

📝 Ingredients

• 1 pound (250 grams) Gigantes (giant lima beans), dried, uncooked
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, grated
• 1/2 cup yogurt
• 1/2 cup finely chopped parsley
• 1/4 cup chopped mint
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
• 1/4 cup kalamata olives, pitted and chopped
• Optional: 6 ounces crumbled feta cheese
• Serve with:
• • Tahini sauce
• • Tzatziki sauce
• • Marinara sauce
• • Mint yogurt: yogurt, a garlic love (grated), 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and salt with some fresh mint
• • Cucumber salad: diced cucumbers, tomatoes, Finely chopped onion, and mint with some olive oil.

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Soak the beans in cold water overnight.
2. 2Place the beans in a large pot and...: Place the beans in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil and reduce the heat to medium. Cook until the beans are tender. About 45 minutes. Drain the beans, season with salt and set aside to cool.
3. 3Combine the onion with olive oil and cook...: Combine the onion with olive oil and cook over medium heat for about 6 minutes.
4. 4Add the diced bell pepper and cook 5...: Add the diced bell pepper and cook 5 minutes or until soft. Season lightly with salt.
5. 5Add the scallions and cook for 3 minutes...: Add the scallions and cook for 3 minutes or until softened.
6. 6Add the garlic and warm through for 20...: Add the garlic and warm through for 20 seconds. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
7. 7Pulse the beans in a food processor until...: Pulse the beans in a food processor until mashed.
8. 8Place the mashed beans in a large mixing...: Place the mashed beans in a large mixing bowl and add the cooked onion mixture.
9. 9Add all of the remaining ingredients except for...: Add all of the remaining ingredients except for the egg and mix together until combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
10. 10Beat the egg slightly and add to the...: Beat the egg slightly and add to the mixture. Mix well to combine.
11. 11The mixture should stick together easily. If it...: The mixture should stick together easily. If it is crumbly and falls apart, add some more breadcrumbs.
12. 12Take a quarter cup of the bean mixture...: Take a quarter cup of the bean mixture and form it into patties or meatballs.
13. 13Pour some oil into a cast-iron skillet or...: Pour some oil into a cast-iron skillet or into a nonstick pan. Heat over medium heat.
14. 14Fry the fritters until golden all around. About...: Fry the fritters until golden all around. About 4 minutes per side.
15. 15Place the fritters on a tray that is...: Place the fritters on a tray that is lined with paper towels.
16. 16Serve them with your favorite dips or sauces.
17. 17I like to make serve them with salad...: I like to make serve them with salad and mint yogurt.