Cajun Zucchini Fries Food

BAKED PARMESAN ZUCCHINI FRIES

Steps:

• Adjust 2 oven racks to the top and bottom thirds of the oven and preheat to 425 degrees F. Put the wire racks in the baking sheets and coat each generously with cooking spray.
• Combine the flour and 3/4 teaspoon salt in a large re-sealable plastic bag. Combine the eggs and 3/4 teaspoon salt in another large plastic bag; combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan and 3/4 teaspoon salt in a third large plastic bag.
• Add about a half of the zucchini sticks to the bag with the flour and use a combination of your hands and shaking the bag to coat the zucchini. Remove the zucchini and shake off any excess flour. Transfer to the egg wash and repeat until coated. (It's less messy if you use only one hand for the dry ingredients and the other for the wet.) Let any excess egg drip off before transferring to the breadcrumb mixture; repeat until fully coated (you'll still see some green and white of the zucchini peeking through the breading). Transfer to the prepared baking sheets and coat the breaded zucchini generously with cooking spray (there's no need to turn them). Repeat with the remaining zucchini.
• Bake, rotating the baking sheets from top to bottom about halfway through, until golden brown and tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Sprinkle with a little salt and serve warm with your favorite dipping sauces.

RANCH ZUCCHINI FRIES

Steps:

• For the ranch seasoning: Mix together the parsley and/or dill, chives, garlic powder, onion powder, 2 teaspoons salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Set aside.
• For the zucchini fries: Adjust 2 oven racks to the top and bottom thirds of the oven and preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Put the wire racks in the baking sheets and coat each generously with cooking spray.
• Combine the flour with half of the ranch seasoning in a large re-sealable plastic bag. Put the eggs in another large plastic bag; put the breadcrumbs in a third large plastic bag.
• Add about a half of the zucchini rounds to the flour, and use a combination of your hands and shaking the bag to coat the zucchini. Remove the zucchini and shake off any excess flour. Transfer to the egg wash and repeat until coated. (It's less messy if you use only one hand for the dry ingredients and the other for the wet.) Let any excess egg drip off before transferring to the breadcrumb mixture; repeat until fully coated (you'll still see some green and white of the zucchini peeking through the breading). Transfer to the prepared baking sheets and coat the breaded zucchini generously with cooking spray (there's no need to turn them). Repeat with the remaining zucchini.
• Bake, rotating the baking sheets from top to bottom about halfway through, until golden brown and tender, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Make the ranch dressing: Whisk together the remaining ranch seasoning with the buttermilk, mayonnaise and vinegar. Serve with the Ranch Fries.

FRIED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• 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.
• Stir 1 1/2 cups Parmesan, the panko, and salt in a medium bowl to blend. Whisk the eggs in another medium bowl to blend. Working in batches, dip the zucchini in the eggs to coat completely and allow the excess egg to drip back into the bowl. Coat the zucchini in the panko mixture, patting to adhere and coat completely. Place the zucchini strips on a baking sheet.
• When the oil is hot, working in batches, fry the zucchini sticks until they are golden brown, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fried zucchini to paper towels and drain.
• Arrange the fried zucchini on a platter. Sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan and serve.

CRISPY ZUCCHINI FRIES WITH BUTTERMILK RANCH DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• For the buttermilk ranch dipping sauce: In a bowl, combine the buttermilk, mayonnaise, chives, dill, celery salt, garlic powder and onion powder. Mix well. Cover and chill for 1 hour.
• For the zucchini fries: Add the flour to a shallow baking dish. In a second baking dish, lightly beat the eggs with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. In a third baking dish, combine the panko, Parmesan, garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; gently crush all the ingredients together with your hands--this will ensure an even coating on the zucchini.
• Lightly coat the zucchini sticks in the flour and then dip into egg mixture, coating evenly. Gently shake to remove excess egg and then generously coat the zucchini in the panko mixture. Transfer the breaded zucchini to a baking sheet.
• Fill a high-sided skillet with about 1 inch of oil--make sure the oil does not rise more than halfway up the side of the skillet. Heat over medium-high heat. Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, add the zucchini sticks to the pan. Cook until light golden brown, turning once, 2 to 3 minutes. Immediately remove the zucchini to a cooling rack set over a baking sheet. Keep warm in a 175-degree oven until ready to serve.
• Serve the zucchini fries with the dipping sauce on side.