If this recipe sounds vaguely familiar to you, then it might be because these croquettes have a similar method to my favorite Smoked Salmon Fish Cakes. Say, what? – you may ask. It’s true – this is a great example of a recipe that works. Over many renditions I finally arrived at a pan-fried cake/patty/croquette recipe which I love. It’s light, crispy and packed with the main ingredient. It’s a winner, and I’m sticking to it.
In this version, the star ingredient is carrot. Its sweetness is nicely balanced by the spice and heat of chile, coriander and cumin. Flecked with green onion and cilantro, the croquettes are light and airy with a satisfying bite. A coating of panko crumbs ensures a crisp exterior, begging for a dip in the sriracha laced yogurt sauce, which is a perfect cooling foil to the warm croquettes.
Spiced Carrot Croquettes with Yogurt Sriracha Sauce
Makes 16 – 1 1/2 inch croquettes
Carrot croquettes:
8 large carrots, peeled, sliced 1/4 inch thick
1 3/4 cup Panko bread crumbs, divided
2 green onions, ends trimmed, white and green parts minced
1 small red jalapeno or serrano chile pepper, stemmed and seeded, minced
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons Greek-style whole milk yogurt
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Vegetable oil for frying
Yogurt-Sriracha Sauce:
1 cup Greek-style whole milk yogurt
1/2 tablespoon sriracha sauce
2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Pinch of salt, to taste
Steam carrots until very soft, 30-40 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and mash. (There should be about 2 cups.)
Place 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs in a shallow bowl; set aside. Add 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, green onion, chile pepper, cilantro, coriander, cumin, salt and pepper to the carrots. Stir to combine, and then stir in the yogurt and lemon juice. Using a soup spoon, scoop out a spoonful of the carrots. Lightly form into a 1 1/2 inch patty. Gently roll in reserved breadcrumbs to coat. Place on a platter. Repeat with remaining carrots. (Croquettes may be prepared to this point up to 3 hours before cooking. Loosely cover with plastic and refrigerate.)
Heat 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add croquettes in batches. Fry until golden brown, turning once, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate lined with a paper towel. Repeat with remaining carrots.
To make the sauce, whisk all of the ingredients in a small bowl. Transfer croquettes to a serving plate. Serve with the yogurt sauce and lemon wedges. Garnish with cilantro sprigs.
Lynda, these are fantastic! I love, love, love any kind of pan-fried cake/croquette and had never considered carrot before. This recipe looks absolutely perfect. (I am totally making this, really!)
Great – let me know what you think!
This looks amazing and so creative. So glad I found your site
Your dishes look yum … loved the presentation of the food ! good work
you can view some of my dishes on http://kitchensojourn.blogspot.com ! i would be really happy if you follow it
This looks so delicious. Can’t wait to make it!
Yumm!
When I think of croquettes, I think of the fried “croquetas” my señora would serve me for dinner when I studied abroad in Madrid. I wasn’t too fond of those, but had they been as sophisticated and pretty as yours are, I would have delighted in seeing them on my plate.
I’m certainly going to make these!
Ooh these look so delicious! I have to try them, and I am so glad I found your blog!
Look delicious! Gotta try this soon!
I am a carrot fanatic, so these tasty little bites are right up my alley. And topped with a yogurt sriracha sauce, too good to be true. Truly can’t wait to try these out!
These look awesome! Especially with the yogurt sauce. I actually just made potato croquettes last night, but carrots are such an interesting (and I bet delicious) approach.
How did you manage to get the carrot mash mixture to maintain its shape when frying? I tried making something similar before and even when rolled in breadcrumbs, they just fell apart when I tried to fry them. Yours look amazing..
I treat them very lightly, without over-mixing. Also, when making the mash, don’t over-mash to the point of puree – they should have some texture.
I couldn’t wait to make them and I did. We loved them! I pulled out some home grown carrots from the root cellar, sweetened by the bite of frost before I harvested them. This recipe is a keeper and I will surely treat us to them again. Even though I didn’t have the sriracha sauce, or any idea where to get it except online, the croquettes held there own with just the yogurt and lemon sauce.
I am so happy you liked them!
What is srarchi sauce and where can you buy it ?? Recipe looks AwesOme!
Sriracha is a Thai hot chile sauce that you can find in the Asian section of your supermarket. You may also substitute another hot sauce of your choice.