Seared Zucchini With Crispy Parmesan And Black Pepper Food

CRISPY ZUCCHINI CHIPS WITH PARMESAN

Steps:

• Pour a couple inches of oil into a large, shallow, heavy gauge or cast-iron pot. Heat over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer reads 350 degrees F.
• Place the flour into a shallow, medium container. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Whisk the eggs, buttermilk, oregano, thyme and granulated garlic in another shallow, medium container. To a third shallow container, add the panko crumbs. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Working in batches, dredge the the zucchini in the flour, patting off the excess. Next, dip into the buttermilk mixture. Moisten completely, and allow the excess liquid to drip away. Place the zucchini into the panko crumbs and coat evenly. As you work, lay the zucchini chips onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.
• Once the oil is ready, fry the zucchini chips in batches, until they are a crispy golden brown, 2 to 4 minutes. Transfer the fried zucchini to paper-towel-lined dish and drain.
• Serve the crispy zucchini on a platter immediately. Sprinkle with Parmesan and parsley, and serve with Roasted Garlic Aioli and lemon wedges
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Take the whole heads of garlic and cut the tops off to expose the garlic cloves. Place on a large piece of aluminum foil and drizzle lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Wrap up the foil into a tight pouch, and then place in the oven and roast for 35 to 45 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Squeeze the pulp from the skins (you'll need 1/3 cup).
• In a food processor, combine the roasted garlic, mayonnaise, lemon juice, Parmesan, Dijon mustard, cayenne pepper, Worcestershire sauce and some salt and pepper. Pulse until well combined. Refrigerate to allow the flavors to meld together. Garnish with parsley.

SEARED ZUCCHINI WITH CRISPY PARMESAN AND BLACK PEPPER

Steps:

• Heat a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high for 2 minutes. (This will help you get a good sear.) Heat the oil, and when it shimmers, salt the zucchini and add it cut-side down in one layer (you will need to do this in two batches), and cook, undisturbed, until it begins to turn golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and cook 2 to 3 minutes more on the other side. Remove from the pan and set aside on a serving plate; repeat with remaining zucchini.
• While the second batch cooks, add the pepper to a small saucepan and toast over medium heat until it becomes fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the butter (it will quickly foam), and stir until the butter melts and the foam subsides. Remove from heat. Quickly add the grated cheese and stir vigorously to prevent the cheese from sticking to the bottom of the pan. It will melt in spots, it will crisp in spots and it will form frico-like clumps.These are all good things!
• Spoon the butter over the seared zucchini, making sure to catch all the black pepper and fried cheese bits, and shower with the herbs. Season with flaky salt, if you please.

PARMESAN FRIED ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Mix bread crumbs, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, parsley, and black pepper in a bowl. Dip zucchini slices into eggs, then press into bread crumb mixture, shaking off excess. Place the breaded zucchini onto a plate while breading the rest; do not stack.
• Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry breaded zucchini in hot oil in batches until golden brown, about 3 minutes; transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese and salt.

ZUCCHINI WITH PARMESAN

Steps:

• Remove the ends of the zucchini and, if they are large, cut in half lengthwise. Slice the zucchini diagonally in 1/2-inch slices. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large (12-inch) saute pan and add the onions. Cook for 10 minutes on medium-low heat, until they start to brown. Add half the zucchini, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to the pan and cook, tossing occasionally, for 10 to 15 minutes, until just cooked through. Sprinkle with Parmesan and cook for 30 seconds more. Remove to a serving platter and repeat with the rest of the zucchini. Serve immediately.
• Note: If you cook too much zucchini in one pan, you end up steaming rather than sauteing it. I prefer to cook it in 2 batches.

CRISPY PARMESAN ZUCCHINI COINS

Steps:

• Mix 1/2 cup of the flour with the potato flakes and parmesan cheese.
• Beat the eggs well, to the point where they start to hold air.
• Place the remaining flour, garlic salt and pepper in a 1 gallon zip bag. Add zucchini. Shake bag until well coated.
• Dredge zucchini slices in eggs until coated.
• Coat slices with potato, cheese and flour mixture.
• Place slices carefully into hot oil. Pan fry on each side until golden brown, about 2 min a side. Remove and place on paper towels to drain.