Cvrtje (cottage cheese fritters)

Instructions

1. Drain the cottage cheese in a sieve for 15 minutes to remove excess liquid.
2. In a bowl, beat the yolks with the sugar and vanilla sugar until pale and creamy.
3. Add the drained cottage cheese, lemon zest and pinch of salt, then mix.
4. Fold in the sifted flour mixed with the baking powder, then the stiffly beaten egg whites, gently with a spatula.
5. Heat the oil in a deep pan to 170 °C. Drop spoonfuls of batter into the oil.
6. Fry for 3 to 4 minutes, turning, until well golden, then drain on kitchen paper.
7. Serve warm, dusted with icing sugar if you like.