Fried Squash Andor Zucchini Food

BATTER FRIED ZUCCHINI OR SQUASH

Steps:

• Clean and cut up zucchini/squash. I like to cut them into sticks rather than slices because that shape fries more evenly in deep fat without need of turning.
• Pre-heat oven to 250.
• Prepare an oven-proof pan by lining it with several paper towels.
• Either heat your deep fryer to the temperature recommended for fried squash in its manual or heat 2 inches of frying grease (I prefer a 50-50 mix of oil and shortening), in your preferred, stove-top, frying utensil -- mine is a cast iron chicken fryer -- until a drop of water thrown into the grease sizzles vigorously but not violently.
• While the grease is heating beat the egg in a shallow bowl. Beat in the milk, seasonings, and finally the flour. The batter will be thin and may have a few lumps.
• Toss a skillet's worth of squash sticks in the batter and coat thoroughly.
• When the grease is ready carefully drop in the battered sticks, being sure not to drop them right on top of each other. If you are in doubt of your ability to do this without burning yourself use tongs.
• Yes, the thin batter will have drippy bits that dangle from the sticks and there will be a lot of little, batter crispies in the grease. The drippy bits are what makes this batter light and crisp where a thicker batter might be heavy.
• If necessary turn the pieces over partway through so as to brown them evenly.
• When nicely brown transfer the sticks to the prepared pan and put them into the oven while you fry the next batch. Do not try to fry too much at once or the temperature of the grease will drop and the coating will end up soggy and greasy.
• When the squash is done serve with grated Parmesan at the table.
• Some people might like ranch or blue cheese dressing instead or a simple dipping sauce made from sour cream, fresh dill, and a bit of lemon juice to thin it.
• This recipe doubles nicely. But if you need more than that I suggest making separate, additional batches since the rising power fades after long sitting.
• Leftovers can be reheated on a baking sheet in a 450 degree oven. The microwave would make them soggy and unpleasant.
• This batter is also good on eggplant, onion rings, and chicken tenders.
• Note: If you do not keep self-rising flour in the house you can use 1 cup all-purpose flour mixed with 1tsp baking powder and a pinch of salt instead.

ZUCCHINI/YELLOW SQUASH STIR FRY

Steps:

• Rinse zucchini and squash.
• Cut into thin slices, discarding stems and bottoms.
• Slice onion into thin rings.
• Spray a wok or large, covered frying pan with cooking spray.
• Melt butter in pan over medium-high heat.
• Add zucchini, squash and onion.
• Stir-fry for several minutes, until tender-crisp.
• Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Add 3 T water and cover.
• Reduce heat and simmer for 6-8 minutes or until mixture meets your criteria for doneness (We like ours slightly soft, others may prefer either crisp or very soft).

STIR-FRIED CHICKEN, ZUCCHINI AND SQUASH

Steps:

• Season chicken with pepper to taste.
• In large skillet, stir-fry in oil until lightly browned and tender. Remove chicken from pan and set aside.
• Add butter to pan and stir-fry onion and garlic until onion is just tender.
• Add zucchini, squash, and carrot and stir-fry over medium heat for 3 minutes.
• Add chicken and heat through.
• Stir in lemon peel, lemon juice and (optional) walnut halves. Toss to mix.
• Serve over hot cooked rice.

FRIED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Place zucchini and onions in a medium bowl and mix together.
• In a small bowl mix flour, cornmeal, salt, pepper and garlic powder.
• Pour dry mixture over zucchini/onion mixture, cover bowl and shake well. Let mixture sit for about 30 minutes; a batter will form on the vegetables.
• In a medium skillet heat oil over medium heat. When oil is hot add breaded vegetables and fry, turning to brown evenly.

COUNTRY STIR-FRIED YELLOW AND ZUCCHINI SQUASH

Steps:

• Rinse/wash the squash before preparing.
• Cut off both ends of each squash.
• Slice the squashes into 1/4 inch chip shapes.
• Slice the larger chips into half moon shapes.
• Spray a pan suitable to stir fry all of the squash in with cooking oil.
• Put all of the squash in the pan and spray some more oil across the squash.
• Sprinkle the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika evenly across the squash.
• Add 2 tablespoons of water to the pan and toss everything together in the pan.
• Heat the pan to medium.
• When it starts to sizzle begin stirring occasionally so as not to burn the squash and cook evenly.
• When the water evaporates, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of water.
• Keep tossing occasionally until the squash is half transparent and reasonably soft. (This takes about 15-20 minutes.).
• When the squash is to it's suitable consistancy, remove it from the heat and serve.
• Enjoy!

FRIED ZUCCHINI/YELLOW SQUASH (QUICK, EASY AND CHEESY)

Steps:

• Slice squash into 1/4 inch slices.
• Melt butter in frying pan over medium heat and add squash.
• Sprinkle with salt, pepper and onion powder to taste.
• Flip with a spatula every few minutes until cooked through.
• Sprinkle with parmesean cheese just before serving. It will melt in about 1 minute.