She Strengthens

Winter Vegetable Tempura: A Crispy Delight

A Seasonal Twist on a Classic Recipe

As the winter season approaches, our taste buds crave something crispy and flavorful to accompany the cold weather. That’s where this innovative tempura recipe comes in, featuring a medley of cold-weather vegetables lightly battered and fried to perfection.

The Perfect Batter

The key to this recipe lies in the batter, which is light enough to let the delicate flavors of the vegetables shine through. A combination of all-purpose flour, kosher salt, cayenne pepper, and ground nutmeg provides a subtle yet aromatic base, while the addition of IPA beer adds a unique twist.

Preparing the Vegetables

To ensure the vegetables hold their shape and texture, it’s essential to prepare them carefully. Slice the radicchio into wedges, making sure each piece has a bit of core to hold it together. Cut the apple into quarters and core, then slice into thin wedges. Scoop out the seeds and pulp from the delicata squash and cut it into thin crosswise slices.

Frying to Perfection

Heat a large, heavy-bottomed pot filled with a mixture of olive and canola oil to 360°F. Remove the batter from the refrigerator and dip each vegetable wedge into the mixture, gently tapping off any excess. Fry the vegetables in batches until they’re crisp and light golden brown, about 1-2 minutes for the radicchio and a few minutes longer for the squash and apple.

Serving with Saba

Serve the tempura hot with a side of saba for dipping or drizzling. This sweet and tangy condiment adds a delightful contrast to the crispy, savory vegetables.

Recipe Details

Yield: 6-8 servings
Difficulty: Medium
Total Time: 1 hour
Active Time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup cold water
• 1 (12-ounce) can IPA beer
• Olive and canola oil for frying
• 2 small heads radicchio di Treviso
• 1 medium Honeycrisp apple
• 1/2 small delicata squash
• 1/4 cup saba for dipping (optional)

Special Equipment:

• Deep-frying/candy thermometer
• Tongs
• Bamboo skimmer