Fish patties fried in sunflower oil (Ukrainian recipe)

Cutlets are one of the most traditional dishes of Ukrainian cuisine. They are so familiar that many people consider them authentic, although their true origin is France. Interestingly, the word «côtelette» literally translates from French as «rib». In the 18th century, cutlets referred to baked or fried pieces of meat on the bone. The idea of making juicy, flavorful patties from minced or ground meat appeared later.

Today, cutlets are prepared not only from pork, beef, or turkey. Liver, vegetables, and fish are also widely used. Tender fish patties fried in sunflower oil are not just a delicacy, but a nutritious dish rich in fatty acids, phosphorus, and other essential nutrients.

When cooked with cold-pressed sunflower oil, they become not only aromatic and delicious but also incredibly healthy. This vegetable oil contains up to 70% polyunsaturated fatty acids, lecithin, and a high amount of vitamin E. Regular consumption supports skin health, prevents dryness and dehydration, improves endocrine and reproductive system function, and promotes better digestion by helping relieve constipation and enhancing bile flow.

CraftOil offers fresh, organic, cold-pressed sunflower oil made using proprietary pressing technology. The oil is produced on the day of order, immediately bottled in eco-friendly dark glass containers, vacuum-sealed for freshness, and delivered across Ukraine and Europe.

CraftOil sunflower oil and sunflower seeds are premium artisanal products with exceptional health benefits.

Ingredients (for 10 fish patties)

For prepare you will need:

• 1 egg;
• 2 garlic cloves;
• 2 small onions;
• 2 slices of white bread;
• 1 tablespoon semolina;
• 1 teaspoon salt (or 2 teaspoons Svanetian salt);
• ½ teaspoon black pepper;
• 700 g fish fillet;
• 2 tablespoons sunflower oil;

Step-by-step instructions

Rinse the fish fillet thoroughly under running water. Grind it using a meat grinder or blend for 4–5 minutes at medium speed. Peel, wash, and finely chop the garlic and onions. Optionally, crush the garlic using a press. Fry them in 1 tablespoon of sunflower oil for 10–15 minutes until the onions turn golden.

In a deep bowl, combine the egg, semolina, minced fish, sautéed onion and garlic mixture, and bread previously soaked in water. Season with salt and pepper, then mix thoroughly until smooth. Shape the mixture into small round patties by hand. Fry them in sunflower oil over medium heat with a lid on for 6–7 minutes on each side until a golden-brown crust forms.

Notes:

For a crispier texture, coat the patties in flour or breadcrumbs before frying. One serving (2 pollock fish patties) contains about 177 kcal, making it suitable even for a diet menu. Patties made from catfish have nearly twice the calorie content.

You can also use camelina oil, sesame oil, or corn oil from CraftOil for cooking.