A delicious, filling patty made with fish, wholesome zucchini and eggs that is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.
Do You Eat Fish?
I’m not a big fish eater. Most of my family enjoys fish. We grew up eating salmon and shrimp and other seafood things that I just really wasn’t interested in. As an adult, I always am willing to try everything but have found that I still don’t love seafood.
However, when I was a child, my mom made these salmon or tuna patties on occasion and they were one form of fish that I was always ok with.
Find Good Quality
The tricky part with fish is sourcing. Junky fish is like any junky meat – full of garbage you don’t want in your body. Find a good quality fish. It may be pricier but the benefits your body receives are worth the price.
My mom always used canned salmon or tuna in her recipe. That’s still what I use today.
Using canned fish makes this meal simple and quick and convenient when you have cans ready to go in your pantry. Again, you want to find a good quality canned fish.
Helps With Picky Fish Eaters
To get those needed omega 3 fatty acids along with other health benefits; it is recommended that we all eat 2-3 servings of fish each week. Some of my kids aren’t super keen on fish, like their mother.
That is where these patties come into play. All of my kids have eaten these patties with no problem, like their mother. I’m sensing a pattern.
My husband eats all fish and seafood happily and he is good about encouraging our kids to try everything. I am grateful for that. It’s good for kids to see their parents eating a variety of foods or at least trying a variety of foods.
Flexible Recipe Based on Your Needs
There is one ingredient in the recipe that is totally flexible. Depending on how we are eating at any given time, the breadcrumbs can be switched out for different ingredients.
In general, I make gluten free breadcrumbs by running rice crackers in my food processor or blender for 20 or so seconds. The pecorino romano cheese works really great as well and when we need to be completely grain and dairy free we do the almond flour.
There is an adjustable amount in the recipe of these three different ingredients because each canned fish has a different liquid level.
You want the patties to stick together but still be moist. If they are dry when you cook them, they will be dry when you eat them.
How to eat it
My kids like to eat these patties dipped in ketchup. I like them topped with avocado. You might like them with a little Coco Aminos or just plain.
I typically serve them with a side of rice and a salad or a veggie.
Salmon or Tuna Patties
10 oz good quality canned salmon or tuna
2 cups shredded zucchini
1/4-1/2 cup breadcrumbs, almond flour or freshly grated pecorino romano cheese
2 eggs
3/4 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Open cans of fish. Some fish needs to be drained and some others do not. Read the labels to determine if your salmon or tuna needs to be drained. Dump the contents of the can into a medium bowl. Break apart the fish.
Add the zucchini, breadcrumbs, almond flour or cheese, based on your needs.
Add eggs, garlic salt, and pepper. Stir everything together well. Heat up a pan or skillet. Add a small amount of olive oil onto the pan or skillet. Scoop about a 1/4 cup of the mixture into your hand and form it into a small patty.
Once the pan or skillet is hot, place the patty gently down. Continue with the rest of the mixture as fits on your pan. Once the first side of the patties is lightly browned, flip each patty over carefully. Lightly brown the other side, being sure the egg is cooked through and then remove the patties to a plate. Serve immediately.
