Sephardic Leek Fritters (Keftes de Prassa)

These Sephardic meat and leek fritters are called keftes de prassa and are fried and served with lemon.

5 from 12 votes

Keftes de Prassa are crispy, golden Sephardic leek fritters with ground beef, pan-fried to perfection. A staple in Turkish Jewish cuisine, they make a delicious appetizer or side dish with a squeeze of lemon.

Prep Time10

Cook Time30

Total Time40

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: Jewish, Middle Eastern

Keyword: keftes, keftes de preassa, Sephardic leek fritter

Servings: keftes

Calories: 187kcal

Author: Samantha Ferraro

Equipment

Ingredients

Leek Meat Mixture

2 tablespoons Avocado oil or other neutral oil
3 Large leeks white and light green parts, about 5 cups
1 pound Ground beef
1 teaspoon Kosher salt + more for garnish, if needed
½ teaspoon Ground black pepper

Fritters

2 Eggs whisked
1 cup Matzo meal or flour
Neutral oil for frying
Lemon wedges for serving
Chopped parsley for garnish

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Prepare the leeks: Cut the leeks in half lengthwise, then slice into half-moons. Place in a bowl of cold water, swish to remove dirt, then drain well.
Sauté the leeks: In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Add the leeks and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are soft. Let cool slightly.
Prepare the mixture: In a bowl, combine the ground beef, sautéed leeks, 1 beaten egg, salt, and pepper. Mix until well incorporated. If the mixture is too wet, add 1-2 tablespoons of matzo meal and mix.
Set up a dredging station: In one bowl, place the matzo meal or flour. In another bowl, whisk the remaining 2 eggs.
Form the fritters: Shape the mixture into small patties, about palm-sized. Dredge each patty in egg, then matzo meal. (It will be a bit messy.)
Fry the keftes: In a wide skillet, heat about ¼ to ½ inch of oil to 350°F. Carefully place the patties in the hot oil and pan-fry for 3 to 5 minutes per side until golden brown and crisp.
Drain and serve: Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels and sprinkle with kosher salt. Serve warm with lemon wedges and garnish with chopped parsley.

Notes

- Make Ahead: The beef mixture can be made ahead up to 2 days in advance. Chilling will also help the meat mixture firm up. You can also make the fritters ahead of time and when ready, heat in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven until warmed through.
- If Mixture is Too Wet: If the mixture is too wet and not holding together, add 2-3 tablespoons of matzo meal or flour and mix well.
- Serving For Passover: If serving the keftes for Passover, use matzo meal. If that's not a concern, use the same amount of flour.
- Serve the leek fritters alongside a crisp salad such as Lebanese fattoush salad or an herbaceous tabbouleh salad. If you don’t follow kosher dietary laws, a dollop of creamy tzatziki is delicious as well!

Nutrition