Today, we are making my favorite zucchini fries recipe with freshly picked zucchini and a few other basic ingredients you surely have at home. This recipe is part of our Foraging Minnesota series.
Zucchini Fries are a fun way to make a finger food or appetizer for your tailgating party! Late summer always produces tons of zucchini and having a lot of good recipes helps to not waste any of this fresh vegetable.
Need more appetizerideas?
We havea great list of our favorite appetizers here:
- Chicken Wings
- corn fried corncobs,
- homemade jalapeno corn dogs,
- Toasted Ravioli,
- Fried Pickles,
- Cheese Curd Jalapeno Poppers,
- Crispy Jalapeno Poppers Bites
- Grilled Pheasant Poppers,
Not the zucchini recipe you were looking for?
We have a lot of great zucchini recipes including:
- Chocolate Zucchini Cake
- Zucchini Chicken Burger
- Lemon Zucchini Bread
- Cheesy Zucchini Casserole
Please check out our other blog, LiveDan330.com for other great ideas too.
Our Zucchini Fries area deep-fried, crisp, yet fresh and light summer treat. Served with a delicious Adobo Ranch dipping sauce.
Ingredients
Equipment
- three kitchen bowls
- kitchen strainer or slotted spoon
- large pan
- paper towels
Directions
We had no idea this post was going to be as popular as it was and a lot of you are asking for the dip recipe. We put it together here: Chipotle Ranch Dipping Sauce
Start by washing off your zucchini. Then cut it into strips that are just the right size to grab and dip. There is nothing magic about the size or the shape, just make them easy to handle. They should look something like this:
After your zucchini is cut, sprinkle it with salt. Prepare three bowls. One with the flour, another with the eggs, beaten, and the third with the panko breadcrumbs.Set them up something like this so that you can easily make your fries.
First, drag the stick through the flour. This helps the egg stick to the zucchini strip.
After coating the entire zucchini stick, you will dip it into the egg.
The last step before frying the zucchini is to coat it with the panko crust. Here, you will want to let the egg drip off so that it is just wet, not dripping. Too much egg will keep the crust from sticking well.
Set the breaded zucchini fries aside on a plate while you heat up the oil in a large frying pan.
When the oil is hot, gently place the zucchini in the oil. They may sink, but as they cook they tend to rise to the surface. Cook them until they are golden brown.
The best way to pull the fried zucchini fries out of the pan is with a slotted spoon so that they can be gently moved. Let them rest on paper towels while the rest of the grease drips off of them.
That’s all there is to it! Easy peasy! The zucchini fries are easily served with an adobo sauce for dipping as shown below.
Printable Recipe
Zucchini Fries Recipe for Frying Zucchini
A salty, fresh, fried, finger food perfect for your tailgating party.
10 minPrep Time
10 minCook Time
20 minTotal Time
Yields tray
Author: FourKidsAndAChicken.com
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Ingredients
- 1 zucchini
- salt
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 cup Italian panko bread (http://amzn.to/2xJmZaS)
- 4 cups vegetable oil
Instructions
- Start by washing off your zucchini. Then cut it into strips that are just the right size to grab and dip. There is nothing magic about the size or the shape, just make them easy to handle. They should look something like this:
- After your zucchini is cut, sprinkle it with salt. Prepare three bowls. One with the flour, another with the eggs, beaten, and the third with the panko breadcrumbs.Set them up something like this so that you can easily make your fries.
- First, drag the stick through the flour. This helps the egg stick to the zucchini strip.
- After coating the entire zucchini stick, you will dip it into the egg.
- The last step before frying the zucchini is to coat it with the panko crust. Here, you will want to let the egg drip off so that it is just wet, not dripping. Too much egg will keep the crust from sticking well.
- Set the breaded zucchini fries aside on a plate while you heat up the oil in a large frying pan.
- When the oil is hot, gently place the zucchini in the oil. They may sink, but as they cook they tend to rise to the surface. Cook them until they are golden brown.
- The best way to pull the fried zucchini fries out of the pan is with a slotted spoon so that they can be gently moved. Let them rest on paper towels while the rest of the grease drips off of them.
- That's all there is to it! Easy peasy! The zucchini fries are easily served with an adobo sauce for dipping as shown below.
7.8.1.2
31
http://fourkidsandachicken.com/2017/09/28/zucchini-fries/
Rating: 2.8/5. From 8 votes.
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Comments
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FAQs
Yes, you should always salt your zucchini before frying — especially if you're aiming to achieve a crispy texture. Salting your zucchini helps remove the excess moisture stuck in the zucchini that would otherwise make frying a challenge.
Is fried zucchini healthier than fries? ›
Fried vegetables are way more fattening
The breading and the frying, in this case, boosted the calorie count by a whopping 900 percent. Heikkinen also adds that the fried zucchini is even higher in calories than a small order of fries from Carl's Jr., as one of those comes in at only 300 calories.
What is zucchini fries made of? ›
Slice your zucchini into thin matchsticks and set aside. In a small bowl, add your eggs and whisk them until combined. In a separate bowl, add your breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Dip your zucchini in the egg mixture, followed by the spice and crumb mixture, and place on the lined sheet.
Why do you soak zucchini in salt water? ›
Zucchini is 94 percent water, which is why it gets mushy when cooked for too long. The first step in this recipe involves salting the flesh of the zucchini and allowing it to stand for 15 minutes. The salt draws the moisture from the flesh which helps ensure that the vegetable stays firm during roasting.
Why is my fried zucchini bitter? ›
What causes this bitterness? All cucurbits produce chemicals called cucurbitacins, which cause the vegetables to taste bitter and served as a defense against plant-eating wildlife. Cucurbitacin also contributes to the musky scent of cantaloupe.
Does salt draw water out of zucchini? ›
Salt causes zucchini rounds to release excess water. This important extra step helps the zucchini to sauté rather than stew in its own juices. I found quarter-inch slices the perfect thickness. Thinner slices fall apart during cooking; thicker slices require a longer salting time.
How do you keep zucchini crisp when cooking? ›
The secret to zucchini with the best flavor and texture is roasting it in a 450°F oven. Roasting zucchini at a high temperature instead of baking or sautéing helps develop browning and a slight char on the outside, which keeps it from getting soggy.
Should I salt zucchini before cooking? ›
In fact, salting before cooking is actually Daniel Boulud's tip for prepping crispier eggplant, and zucchini is much the same. Science is on the side of salting in advance. When salt is sprinkled on the flesh of a water-dense fruit like zucchini and left to sit for a while, a process known as osmosis occurs.
What is the healthiest part of a zucchini? ›
Zucchini boasts several antioxidants that may provide various health benefits. The highest levels are found in the fruit's skin.
Is zucchini better for you than cucumber? ›
Zucchini is richer in vitamin B and vitamin C as compared to cucumbers. Both vegetables have relatively equal amounts of calcium but zucchini is richer than cucumbers in potassium and iron. Zucchini also has a higher amount of protein and fiber.
“Zucchini is generally beneficial for all (people) and can be incorporated into most diet plans,” says Gans. However, “there is no one vegetable, or vitamin or mineral, that is a treatment, or cure, for any health condition or disease.”
Can dogs eat zucchini? ›
Is Zucchini Good for Dogs? Zucchini is completely safe for dogs to eat in moderation. It's low in calories and high in fiber, making it a healthy and nutritious addition to both you and your dog's diets. This summer squash contains numerous vitamins, including A, C, and K.
What temperature do you deep fry zucchini? ›
Pour enough oil into a large frying pan to reach a depth of 2 inches. Heat the oil over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees F.
Is fried zucchini healthy to eat? ›
Is Fried Zucchini Good For You? Fried foods don't have to be unhealthy. This fried zucchini recipe is a prime example of a healthy fried snack, but it also makes a healthy side dish. The key is to use a natural, low carb breading and a healthy oil.
How do you keep zucchini firm? ›
Blanch the zucchini to keep it firm.
Blanching will deactivate the enzymes that cause the zucchini to turn mushy and discolored. To blanch the vegetable, bring a pot of unsalted water to a boil, then place the zucchini pieces in the water and boil for 1 minute. Immediately drain them in a colander.
How do you keep fried vegetables crispy? ›
Just place them on a cooling rack set over a baking sheet.
In much the same way, putting fried food on a cooling rack means the excess oil will drip off, but there's enough air circulating underneath the food that the bottoms don't get soggy.
How do you keep zucchini from getting slimy? ›
Avoid storing zucchini in plastic, which can trap moisture and make the skin slimy. Either leave zucchini loose or place it in a paper bag.
Why did my zucchini turn to mush? ›
On the other hand, they may simply be waterlogging if your garden is poorly drained. Another possibility is squash bugs have damaged them and rot has set in as a result. In the meantime, keep removing the infected fruit as soon as you see signs of the problem.
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