One (kind of) random question I get asked a lot is ‘where are you from?’ Not in the sense of the city or state, which is a story in itself because I’ve moved a bunch, but the country. My heritage and roots.
Truthfully, my first response when asked that question is “I’m from America,” but that’s a dumb response because…DUH. However, my name, coloring and features don’t give many clues so I understand the questions.
I’m Lithuanian, Czechoslovakian, Italian and Irish. The former two are from my dad’s side, the latter my mom’s. The first two nationalities are what I look like (Eastern European), but the Italian and Irish are what I identify with. My mom grew up in a small New England town with a strong sense of heritage (and coinciding celebrations) and she has taught me the importance of maintaining family traditions.
One tradition that never fails: St. Patrick’s Day.
It started with leprechaun “mischief,” green eggs and ham and face paint when we were younger (evidence below) and has progressed up to corned beef and cabbage for dinner, even though my mom is the only one who likes it. She’s been bringing us to an Irish bar in town to dance and drink (well, she drinks) to celebrate for the last few years.
The Irish sure know how to party.
As St. Patrick’s Day is around the corner I wanted to make something to pair well with the heavy main dish of corned beef. Since I’m not big on a lot of traditional Irish food, I figured I’d just play along with the colors. Green (zucchini) and orange (sweet potatoes) for the Irish flag. Although, apparently the orange in the flag is for Northern Ireland and the Irish don’t like them? Not too sure about that though. I know U.S. history like no one’s business, but apparently I need to brush up on world history.
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Zucchini and sweet potatoes are two of my favorite foods so this was a no-brainer side dish that will contribute to the themed meal. It’s even Whole30 friendly (therefore paleo and gluten-free) and would be great topped with avocado, sour cream or sauce of choice.
- 1 large sweet potato, sprialized
- 1 egg
- 2 tsp of cinnamon
- 1 tbsp of coconut flour
- Splash of almond milk
- 1/2 tsp of salt + pepper
- 2 medium zucchinis, spiralized
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp of coconut flour
- Splash of almond milk
- 1/2 tsp of salt and pepper
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
- Spiralize vegetables into noodle-like form.
- For the sweet potatoes: sauté sweet potato noodles in skillet until soft (3-5 minutes). (No need to pre-cook zucchini, it cooks faster)
- Place sautéed noodles into a mixing bowl. Add egg, coconut flour, cinnamon, spices and almond milk.
- Mix thoroughly.
- Form patties with your hand and place on skillet.
- Cook 3-5 minutes each side, or until firm.
- For the zucchini: Place noodles into clean mixing bowl. Add egg, coconut flour, cinnamon, spices and almond milk.
- Mix thoroughly.
- Form patties with your hand and place on skillet.
- Cook 3-5 minutes each side, or until firm.
- Let both batches of patties cool, serve plain or topped with avocado.
- Note: you can use a shredder instead of spiralizer
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I am wonderful mix of 1/2 Italian, 1/4 Irish, and 1/4 Hungarian…That picture of you is AMAZING! Love it and love this recipe!
ACKTIVE LIFE recently posted…Simple Romesco Sauce
I love hearing of your heritage and your mom just sounds great! Our family is largely Italian and I see it a lot in our traditions and just how my extended family interacts as a whole. I need to dive into the world of fritters and I’m not sure how I’ve missed out on it this entire time! I’m going to try the sweet potato ones one night this week!
Margaret @ youngandrungry recently posted…3 Ingredient Mini Paleo Pancakes + Running Recap
All I have to say about the apron photo…SASSY! LOL You were in command of the kitchen even as a youngster! ;) These fritters look amazing, BTW. PINNING!
[email protected] recently posted…High Protein Veggie Bread [gluten-free + whole grain]
These look SO good!! Making this ASAP…
Gretchen | Gretchruns recently posted…Gettysburg Marathon Training : Week 9 Recap
I am 0% Irish but these look 1000% delicious! It’s funny, until I went to college in the UK I was never, ever asked what I am. I grew up in a community of WASPs, Italian/Irish Catholics, and a smaller group of Ashkenazi Jews. Everyone was one or had one parent of each. But it was one of those small New England towns :) With all the churches and the synagogue within two blocks of Main Street.
I’m German and… very American? My mom’s family doesn’t really know what they are, I guess. I love hearing about people’s backgrounds and traditions, though. Love that picture of you!
And I’ve always loved making “zucchini cakes” with grated zucchini, but this looks so much more fun! And my sources tell me that I’ll be getting an Inspiralizer for my birthday, so I’m looking forward to playing around with it with recipes like this :)
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday recently posted…Reconnecting with Your Past
As I prepare for the annual dinner with my boyfriend’s family (the Murphys and the Duffys, let’s just say they’re a little Irish, haha), I’ll definitely be making these!
Becki @ Fighting for Wellness recently posted…Minute for Minute Cross Training
Look at how cute you are!!! Love that old school photo. I’ve made zucchini fritters before but never sweet potato. I love that idea!!! Would be great with a big juicy burger as we are heading into grilling season!
Chrissa – Physical Kitchness recently posted…Cilantro Pesto Chicken Wraps
Emily… these look SO good! I feel like I usually cook my sweet potatoes and zucchini in the same ways, so this is such a good way to mix it up! Haha and you’re killing it with the throwback pictures lately :) I love them! I’m Irish and Czech too. Every year on Black Friday my dad’s side of the family goes to this little German town and we go out to eat at the same restaurant. The family has been doing it for 30+ years and it’s one of my favorite family memories.
Amanda @ ExploringLifeAndThings recently posted…Books I read in February
That pic of you as a kid….THE CUTEST. My family isn’t Irish at all so we never celebrated St. Patty’s day, but Danny’s family is super Irish so now I do. We always have a big feast with a lot of guinness drinking!
Hayley recently posted…Weekend Highlights // Coffee Date + Live Your Best Life Event
These look so good! And they combine two of my favorite foods ;) I am Greek, German, Macedonian, and English. I definitely identify most with being Greek, but I took German in high school as my language so there’s that too.
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie recently posted…5 Tips to Make Fitness a Lifestyle
love that you made both zucchini and sweet potato because I love both and don’t think i could make just one version! This is about as festive as i’ll get for st. patty day ahah!
rachel @ athleticavocado recently posted…Banana Snickerdoodle Donut Muffins {Paleo, GF + Vegan Option!}
These look so delicious! I’m a mix of Irish, Italian, Norwegian, Polish, Dutch, and Cuban, so I’ve got a food-related traditions! My grandma always makes corned beef and cabbage for Saint Patrick’s Day and it’s something I really miss since moving away.
Gah this looks amazing!!!!!!! How do you stop the patties from dispersing? I’ve tried these kinds of recipes before and it’s always really hard to make the patties bind, would love some advice if you have any! XOXO Rashina
I need these in my life! I just need to invest in a spiralizer thing!
http://www.represssingthecrazy.com
I’m Irish, German, and French-Canadian – I would love to visit Ireland and Quebec some day! We always got corned beef for St. Patrick’s Day growing up. I moved the weekend of SPD last year, so I didn’t have time to celebrate, but I’m hoping to bring back the tradition this year!
Rebecca @ Vitamin OH! recently posted…Coastal Delaware Running Festival Marathon Training: Week 9
Half Irish (my mum is an Irish national) so St Paddy’s Day has always been quite a big deal (along with Ireland v England rugby matches…). There is an annual St Patrick’s Day parade in both Birmingham and London that we have been along to in the past and since a large number of the congregation at the church my mum attends have Irish heritage, they usually put on a dinner and dance night to celebrate.
I learnt some Irish dancing at primary school and it is something I would love to have a go at again in the future!
xx
You were such a lil cutie haha. I always wanted to marry an Irishman when I was younger (mostly for the accent.) It’s funny how much of an influence your parents culture has on you. My parents are South African and to be honest I feel a little bit mixed up since I was born and raised in New Zealand.
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that is one badass ethnic background! I am English/Irish and German (my dad’s side is straight up German). I am so Aryan looking, it is silly. LOVE me some St Patricks Day, just because it is fun :D And love zucchini fritters, becaues they are delicious :D
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Salt, Sugar, Sport Drink Needs For Athletes
The reason I love this SO MUCH is because there are so few ingredients. When I see recipes that have a list of 10+ ingredients I immediately click away. Guaranteed to try these this week. Thanks for sharing!! :)))
Lindsay @ A Runnaroundd Life recently posted…weekend getaway: supercross and flagler beach.
I just got a spiralizer and can’t wait to use it to make these! I’ve been on quite the zoodle kick recently :) I’m Irish, Italian, and German but my family celebrates the Italian heritage most. We always have homemade raviolis around Christmas time and drink wine with everything haha.
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These look SO good! I lovee my spiraliser so I’ll have to whip some of these up! xo
Kristy @ Southern In Law recently posted…Travel: Our Adrenaline Filled Day in Rotorua New Zealand
i get asked a lot the same question but because of my last name. its hungarian and hard to say. it annoys me in malls and stuff when you give your credit card and they try to pronounce it. its like why bother ? then they ask where its from like they care. sorry. it just bothers me like when i tell them they just say oooohhh. silly. sometimes i say something silly like its mexican just to see the reaction which is always sorta funny :) we had no hungarian traditions per se surrounding holidays other than my grandma cooking lots of hungarian dishes all year round like paprikash, an awesome version of chicken soup with homemade noodles, goulash, etc. my celiac grown up self wonders what she would say about me not being able to eat like anything she made. i feel like she would say “eh just eat a little its fine” or “its not possible to be allergic to noodles they are homemade” :)
mhmm i love zucchini fritters, and i love sweet potatoes, so i bet these would both be good! haha. i’m 100% north indian (but born and raised in america!) but love cooking foods from everywhere and learning about culture :)
I don’t even *love* the typical food from my culture but I’m learning to make variations of it that I do enjoy! I guess I like Mediterranean food the best :)