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    Home » Appetizers » Tuna Zucchini Cakes with Garlic Tomato Sauce

    Tuna Zucchini Cakes with Garlic Tomato Sauce

    Published: Aug 2, 2014 · Modified: Dec 2, 2021 by Jessica Montanelli · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Total time to make this recipe: 30 minutes
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Zucchini Tuna Fritters with Tomato sauce

    These easy fritters or burgers made with just a few ingredients like canned tuna and zucchini are a perfect healthy and light lunch for the whole family. Serve them on their own with a side of salad or with this amazing garlic tomato sauce.

    overhead shot of a plate with tuna zucchini fritters on a fork

    When I don't know what to cook, I often make meatballs or fritters. I can use everything I have available in my fridge: Ricotta, Vegetables, Fish,...

    These fritters are born just like that. One of my pantry staples is canned tuna. I use it very often in salads or pasta sauces like this Pasta with Tuna Tomato sauce.

    For this kind of recipes where the tuna is cooked and mixed with other ingredients, I always use canned tuna in water. I use tuna in olive oil only if I eat it "raw", in a salad for example. Also, my kitty gets to drink the tuna water and she LOVES it! 😉

    Zucchini are also always available in my fridge. In summer I also grow them myself because we eat so many. So I had to find a way to use zucchini and tuna together. So I tried to make meatballs with them.

    Although I noticed that they were too soft to keep the meatball shape. So I turned them into fritters or small burgers.

    overhead of a plate with Zucchini Tuna Fritters with Tomato sauce

    Other Fritters Substitutions

    • Protein: Instead of Tuna, try using canned salmon or even canned crab. Otherwise you can also use fresh or frozen fish.
    • Vegetable: Instead of zucchini you can use broccoli, asparagus, cauliflower, spinach or even a mix of these vegetables. Whatever you have available.
    Zucchini Tuna patties with Tomato sauce
    Zucchini Tuna burgers with Tomato sauce

    The Recipe

    If you like this recipe, try also these:

    • Easy Spinach Salmon Cakes
    • Tuna stuffed Zucchini boats
    Zucchini Tuna Fritters with Tomato sauce

    Tuna and Zucchini Fritters with Tomato Sauce

    Easy fritters or burgers with just a few ingredients. A perfect light lunch for the whole family.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 30 minutes
    Servings: 2 people
    Author: Jessica Montanelli

    Ingredients

    For the Fritters

    • 1 Zucchini
    • 1 can Tuna
    • ½ Onion
    • 1 Egg
    • 2-3 Breadcrumbs
    • Parmesan Cheese
    • Salt & Pepper
    • EV Olive oil

    For the Tomato Sauce

    • 3 ripe Roma Tomatoes
    • 2 cloves Garlic, minced
    • Salt & Pepper

    Instructions

    For the Tomato Sauce

    • Peel the tomatoes and blend them into a sauce. 
    • In a small pan, fry in olive oil the minced garlic for a couple of minutes, then add the tomato sauce and season with salt and pepper. 
    • Cook at low heat for 15-20 minutes.

    For the Fritters

    • Grate the zucchini and chop the onion very thinly. Brown both in a pan with olive oil for about 10 minutes, until they become tender. Set aside and let them cool.
    • Drain the tuna and mix it with the egg, Parmesan, breadcrumbs, salt and pepper. (If the mix is too loose, add more breadcrumbs). Drain as much as possible the zucchini and onion, and add them to the mixture.
    • Add enough olive oil to coat well a large pan and wait until it gets hot (but not smoking).
    • Shape the mixture with your hands into a burger shape or spoon it directlly in the hot oil.
    • Turn them to brown both sides. As soon as they are uniformly golden brown, they're ready!
    • Serve them with freshly made garlic tomato sauce.

    Notes

    You can add a couple of tablespoons of Ricotta if you have it available. It will make the meatballs even more tender.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 141 kcal | Carbohydrates: 8 g | Protein: 21 g | Fat: 3 g | Saturated Fat: 1 g | Cholesterol: 112 mg | Sodium: 258 mg | Fiber: 1 g

    Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: Italian
    Have you tried this recipe?Snap a photo and tag @jess.cookingmydreams or use the hashtag #cookingmydreams!

    If you like this recipe, you can leave a comment and a star rating to support me. ★★★★★
    Thank you so much!

    « Tarragon Potato Gnocchi
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    Hi, I'm Jessica! I'm an Italian who moved to the Netherlands with a true passion for food, travel, and everything handmade. I love to experiment, learn new skills, and share my knowledge about everything I do!

    This blog is my perfect escape to search for my path towards happiness. :)

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