Its zucchini season around here, which means I need to come up with 27 news ways to incorporate zucchini into our meal every night.
I have scoured the internet and come across quite a few great recipes! Zucchini pasta and cakes (like crab-cakes) and chocolate zucchini cakes and zucchini fries. The list goes on and on!
But as my hubby was slicing some the other night, I got to thinking. What about deep fried zucchini slices! I had not seen that yet... but I have a feeling it would taste good!
(Apparently this technique has been around FOREVER. It is not my original idea by any means. It was just sorta new to me.)
I mean really, you could deep fry a shoe and it would still taste good to me.
Just sayin.
So anyway, I cut up two medium zucchini into 1/4 inch slices.
Ok, so maybe that is a tad bigger then 1/4 inch. I have never been good with details.
Then I whipped up a batter to dunk the zucchini in.
1 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp salt (I used Kosher)
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 egg
1 1/2 cups water
Mix together water and egg. Combine dry ingredients, add wet to dry, and mix until incorporated. It should be really thick!
Then just pick up a slice of zucchini and fully coat it in the batter.
No need to give it an egg wash or dry them off or anything. The batter will stay on!
Look at that. Did I mention this dish is really good for you? No? Probably cause its not.
(I used Canola Oil for frying.)
After they get nice a browned, just put them on paper towel so you dab up the excess oil.
Now here is an important part! You can let these sit for a GOOD fifteen minutes before eating. They will stay hot and they will stay yummy!
We covered (and I do mean covered) these in our house blend.
1 cup sea salt (or Kosher)
1/4 cup garlic salt
1/4 cup coarse black pepper
Eventually I just added a heaping tablespoon of that blend right to the batter, and we decided we liked that too!
But I wasnt satisfied with just the salt. I wanted more.
I wanted sweet!
So I just covered these in powder sugar. I thought it was delicious, but hubby preferred the salted ones.
The nice thing about this recipe is, you can make both at the same time!
And you really cant go wrong with chocolate.
This is definitely our new favorite way to eat zucchini.
(Sorry that I keep ending my posts with questions) What is your favorite way to eat zucchini? If you have blogged about it, be sure to post a link! I would love to stop by!
To me, fried zucchini is the ONLY way to eat it!! LOL I love it! However, to make it even more yummy, I dip it in ranch dressing. hmmm..I think I may have to do this today!
Posted by: Joy Ellis | July 24, 2010 at 07:39 AM
Seriously? Chocolate and powered sugar on ZUCCHINI? You and my father in law would SO get along! :)
Posted by: Gianna | July 24, 2010 at 08:17 AM
Hmmm - I should serve the chocolate/strawberry to Bekah and see if she eats it? lol I love zucchini bread - or in a spicy garlic stir fry. Have to say I have never had it fried! :)
Posted by: Janis | July 24, 2010 at 08:27 AM
We fry summer squash and oh my!! I just do it the way my Granny did: slice thinly, coat with salt/pepper, let set a few minutes then flour and fry. It's insane how much squash I've eaten this way in my lifetime.
Posted by: 3rascalsmama | July 24, 2010 at 08:36 AM
Its GREAT with a cucumber type sauce. We used to get them at a fancy restaurant back when I was in high school.
Posted by: Renee | July 24, 2010 at 08:46 AM
Wow, we (as in all 5 of us) all love zucchini, but we've never made it this way before. I'll have to give this recipe a try. Looks delicious.
Posted by: Kristen | July 24, 2010 at 09:22 AM
We love fried zucchini in our house. Seriously, it is the appetizer we order everywhere. I have only every made it with bread crumbs - not a batter. I need to. But then we may never stop eating it?!
Posted by: Jessica @ How Sweet | July 24, 2010 at 09:25 AM
I have a great zucchini muffin recipe and my kids LOVE them:)
Posted by: Krissy | July 24, 2010 at 10:48 AM
I love wonderful treat like this, and I'm sure my kids will love this new recipes. Better try this on weekend. Thank you for sharing this :)
Posted by: Megan | July 24, 2010 at 12:28 PM
Looks like a snack to me!!! YUM! ~Chris Ann
Posted by: LoveFeast Table | July 24, 2010 at 01:55 PM
Insane! Like, in a good way ;-)
You are so creative. I think I would go for the salty ones too. YUM!
Posted by: CM | July 24, 2010 at 02:31 PM
I had a garden several years ago and had zucchini in abundance. Found a recipe for Zucchini Lasagna - zucchini strips instead of lasagna noodles. It.was.wonderful!
Posted by: Karen@SurvivingMotherhood | July 24, 2010 at 02:55 PM
Wow..That is pretty nutritious to be cook for my family. Thanks for the recipe. I'm going to try this one.
Posted by: Pamela | July 24, 2010 at 04:30 PM
In the south, we batter up and fry anything...or everything. Can fried zucs be any better??
But uhm...I can't wrap my mind around the sugared/chocolatey zucs. (but they kinda did look attractive, didn't they?)
Posted by: Margaret | July 24, 2010 at 07:48 PM
Agreed Fried anything is delish! And no you can never go wrong with chocolate. It all looks yummy to me :)
I do have a way that I LOVE zucchini, I cube up chicken and zucchini and tons of garlic (I heart garlic, not the best thing since I'm nursing) and just sauté it in tons of fresh squeezed lemons with some rice. It's low cal and really yum. Disclaimer: My husband does not like this. ;)
Posted by: Christina | July 24, 2010 at 09:21 PM
Oh my gosh, I love fried zucchini!!! When I was younger, we'd always go to Denny's after going out (LOL), and I'd always order that!!! The recipe is so easy!! I like mine with ranch dressing!
Posted by: Alicia | July 24, 2010 at 11:22 PM
oh my gracious woman! don't tempt me!! i LOVE fried zucchini. Have you ever tasted Spaghetti Warehouse's fried zucchini. Oh it is heavenly!! Love your pictures too!
Posted by: libby | July 25, 2010 at 02:53 AM
I've only ever had zucchini bread..but this looks really good! Well...not sure about the sweet kind...but it looks pretty : )
Posted by: tracie | July 25, 2010 at 12:36 PM
I can hardly wait until I have some to pluck from my garden! If it weren't Sunday, I'd be off buying some so I could make these.. yum!
Posted by: mindy | July 25, 2010 at 07:01 PM
I looooooove fried zucchini. But since I'd rather not die of a clogged artery at 25, I do like them grilled,too.
I've never heard of chocolate and zucchini. It sounds scary.
Posted by: Jessica | July 26, 2010 at 08:04 AM
oh yum! i agree . . . frying anything is de-lish!
Posted by: The Lumberjack's Wife | July 26, 2010 at 11:32 AM
Oh my goodness, woman. You are one sheltered mommy. You've never had fried zuccini before this?? Now I need to know what else you haven't tried yet...
Peanut Butter and Banana sandwich?
Sausage and Potatoes?
Chili with Mayonaise?
Fried green tomatoes? (Actually, I haven't tried that one, so that really doesn't count)
Posted by: Michelle | July 26, 2010 at 12:39 PM
Yes, isnt it crazy? Neither my husband or I had ever even heard of fried zucchini... I think its a south thing??? I have not heard of most of the things you mentioned!!! (cant believe I admitted that!)
Posted by: Amanda Rettke | July 26, 2010 at 01:26 PM
Aww...I remember my parents standing over the stove making fried zucchini with the zucchini from our garden. Oh, it's so good!
Posted by: bridget {bake at 350} | July 26, 2010 at 08:01 PM
exactly why we haven't planted zucchini in years ;-)
Posted by: carma | July 26, 2010 at 08:36 PM
My mom sent me this link today:
http://missourifamilies.org/features/nutritionarticles/nut128.htm
It has tips for preserving zucchini, and they sound delicious. I'm going to try the zucchini pickles!
Sarah
Posted by: Sarah | July 26, 2010 at 08:36 PM
I love this panko encrusted zucchini
http://realmomkitchen.com/425/grilled-parmesan-garlic-zucchini-and-panko-encrusted-fried-zucchini/
Posted by: Laura | July 26, 2010 at 11:46 PM
I've already made zucchini bread from the garden. Now it's time to try fried zucchini!
Posted by: Liz | July 27, 2010 at 07:41 AM
That looks delicious Amanda. My mom would make fried Zuchini when I was little and I have to say I havent had it since but after reading your post I suddenly am craving it. I will deffinetly try the powdered sugar ones also. YUM looks soooooo good!!!!
Posted by: tammy | July 27, 2010 at 11:01 AM
Try grating it and mixing it in with mashed potatoes. You can also make a casserole out of it like you would squash. I like it just sautéed with butter and onion.
Posted by: Malisa | July 27, 2010 at 10:10 PM
I don't think it's a southern thing, since I live in Canada and it's a common appetizer in restaurants here too! My friend and I used to often get it at White Spot - yummy! For your house blend seasoning, do you use a coarse ground pepper?
Posted by: Heidi McMaster | July 29, 2010 at 12:48 AM
I had the best zuchini cake tonight. I don't have a recipe yet, but you just replace bananas with zuchini. One zuchini replaces 2 or 3 bananas....YUM!!! My post today is about all of our garden produce! It is great this year. We haven't had to water at all!
Posted by: Carol | July 29, 2010 at 01:29 AM
Oh YUM! That is that is the most beautiful fried zucchini I've ever seen! I love your presentation! :)
I always have to eat it alone...Cody gags! My batter is similar but has a little cornmeal for extra texture.
Thanks for the sweet idea! Sweet Genius!
Posted by: Londa | July 30, 2010 at 09:09 AM
wow! i'll have to try that. i grilled sesame parmesan zuccini tonight from a recipe i found at allrecipes.com. yummmm.
Posted by: Melissa | July 30, 2010 at 05:19 PM
omg that sweet version looks delicous, I want to eat the picture!!! My favourite way? just boiled with lots of lemon juice, salt, and a few drops of oil. I love zuccini's flavor, so cakes and complex preparations aren't my thing... I love zuccini bread, don't get me wrong, with cream cheese... yum... I got hungry =(
Posted by: Eris | July 30, 2010 at 10:59 PM
My favorite fairly unusual thing to do with zucchini is mock apple crisp! When my mom first made it I was so surprised, and pleasantly at that!
Posted by: ali @ an ordinary mom | July 31, 2010 at 11:43 PM
Well I don't like zucchini that much but my brother like it most.I can make this recipe for him.I must say that you are very creative with food that you made this recipe with different tastes.
Posted by: BC | August 02, 2010 at 07:26 AM
I wish my kids would eat this. I love it but they don't. Although if I drizzled chocolate on it.. they just might.
I do love zuchinni bread and so do they for that matter. Otherwise, I grate it and it to a lot of their food like muffins and spaghetti sauce and they are none the wiser. :)
Posted by: zeemaid | August 03, 2010 at 11:22 PM
Mmmm, may have to try the fried zucchini. Give this recipe a try. I really like it but my family does not like cooked carrots.
http://www.beckyhiggins.com/recipes/?p=31
Posted by: Amy | August 05, 2010 at 10:43 AM