Kabocha Squash Frittelle

• Vegetable oil as needed
• 1 small kabocha squash
• 4 eggs
• 3/4 cup seltzer water
• 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoon baking powder
• 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and brush lightly with oil.

Cut the squash in half and scrape out the seeds with a spoon. Place the squash, cut side down, on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until tender when pierced with a paring knife, about 35 to 45 minutes. Let cool for 20 minutes.

When cool enough to handle, scoop the flesh out of the squash and place in a food processor. Purée until smooth. (The purée should be fairly dry. If the squash is too dry and won’t blend, add a tablespoon of water to get it spinning.) Measure out 1/2 cup squash purée and reserve. Save the remainder for another use.

In a medium bowl, combine the reserved squash purée, eggs, and seltzer water; whisk until smooth. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, sugar, and ginger. Add the dry ingredients to the squash mixture; whisk until just combined.  Cover and refrigerate for 20 minutes.

Heat a tablespoon of oil in a non-stick skillet or well-seasoned cast-iron skillet. Add 2 tablespoons of batter to the pan; cook over medium-high heat until golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, until the other side is also golden brown. Serve warm.