Kabocha Korokke (Japanese Pumpkin Croquettes)

Kabocha Korokke (Japanese Pumpkin Croquettes)

Kabocha Korokke (Japanese Pumpkin Croquettes)

Korokke are the Japanese equivalent of a potato croquet. You can use kabocha pumpkin, sweet potatoes, ir just regular potatoes when preparing this savory appetizer. The korroke can be shaped into oval sized patties or into smaller ping pong sized balls. Once formed, place on a parchment paper lined baking pan in the freezer to firm up. Then dredge them in flour, egg, then panko breadcrumbs. The korroke fry for a couple of minutes a side u til golden brown and crispy. Serve the korroke with tonkatsu sauce.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time6 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine: Japanese
Keyword: appetizer, Beef, East Asian, Japanese, main course
Author: Alex Gorgos

Equipment

  • potato masher

Ingredients

  • 1 lb kabocha squash seeded and cut into cubes
  • 1/2 lb ground beef
  • 1/2 medium onion finely chopped
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1 large egg beaten
  • panko breadcrumbs
  • vegetable oil for frying
  • tonkatsu sauce

Instructions

  • Place the kabocha in a steamer. Steam for 10 minutes.
    Japanese, appetizer, beef
  • Place the kabocha in a bowl and mash with a potato masher.
    Japanese, appetizer, beef
  • Brown the ground beef in a small sauté pan over medium high heat for 5 minutes.
    Japanese, appetizer, beef
  • Add in the onions and cook for 2 minutes. Drain any excess oil.
    Japanese, appetizer, beef
  • Mix in the ground beef and onions, salt, pepper, and nutmeg to the mashed kabocha. Let cool.
    Japanese, appetizer, beef
  • Form the dough into 6-8 oval shaped patties. Place on a baking sheet lined in parchment paper. Place in the freezer for 30 minutes.
    Japanese, appetizer, beef
  • Dredge the croquettes in flour, then egg, then panko breadcrumbs.
    Japanese, appetizer, beef
  • Heat up 1” of vegetable oil in a sauté pan over medium high heat. Place some of the croquettes into the oil, frying in two batches.
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  • Fry for 3-4 minutes a side until crispy and golden brown.
    Japanese, appetizer, beef
  • Drain the drain the grease on a wire rack.
    Japanese, appetizer, beef
Japanese, appetizer, beef
Serve the korroke with tonkatsu sauce.
Japanese, appetizer, beef
Crispy on the outside; soft on the inside.