Veggie Fritters (Printable Version)

Cheese-filled and crispy on the outside, these roasted spaghetti squash tots are a playful take on veggies that's as snackable as it is flavorful.

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 1 cup of your go-to shredded cheese (cheddar works great!)
02 - 1 big spaghetti squash, medium-sized
03 - 1/4 cup Parmesan, freshly grated
04 - 1 large egg
05 - 1/2 cup of crunchy panko crumbs

→ Seasonings

06 - 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper
07 - 1 teaspoon salt
08 - 2 minced garlic cloves
09 - 1/2 teaspoon of paprika
10 - 1/2 teaspoon of onion powder

→ For Cooking

11 - 2 tablespoons of olive oil or a quick olive oil spray

# Steps:

01 - Heat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice the spaghetti squash down the middle lengthwise and remove the seeds. Lay the squash halves, flat side down, on a baking tray.
02 - Pop the tray in the oven and let the squash bake for 30-40 minutes. It's ready when you can easily scrape it into strands with a fork.
03 - Once cooled a bit, use a fork to pull out the squash strands. Press and remove any extra moisture using a clean towel over a large mixing bowl.
04 - In the bowl with squash, toss in the cheese, egg, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, onion powder, garlic, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir it all up so it's fully blended.
05 - Roll the mix into small golf ball-sized tots or patties. Lay them on a parchment paper-lined baking tray without crowding.
06 - Spritz the tops with olive oil, or drizzle a light amount, to help them get crispy golden.
07 - On that preheated oven, bake the tots for about 20-25 minutes. Flip them halfway so both sides crisp up nice and even.
08 - Let them cool down just a touch before digging in. You can eat them slightly warm or at room temp, plain or with a dip.

# Notes:

01 - These make for a tasty bite, whether as a party treat or light side dish.
02 - Packed with vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants, spaghetti squash is a nutritious pick.
03 - Pair your tots with ranch, spicy aioli, or marinara for added flavor.
04 - Want to switch it up? Add some chopped veggies like zucchini or bell peppers to the mix.

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